We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Rigid Body Dynamics

This course teaches dynamics, one of the basic mechanics subjects of Mechanical Engineering. Students would be able to organize their knowledge about force and motion, work-energy, impulse-momentum in view of Newton's 2nd law and its integration over time and displacement. The Engineering Dynamics consists of two parts: particle dynamics and rigid body dynamics. This is the second part of the dynamics: rigid body dynamics

The class will consist of lecture videos, which are about 15 min length (or a bit longer). These contain a couple of practice problem solving. There will also be standalone homeworks that are not part of video lectures, and a final exam.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Two deals to help you save

Save money when you learn. Here are two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.

All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until July 14

Coursera Plus Annual

Work toward what's next for your career with access to 10,000+ programs. Discover emerging skills and save.

Valid until August 30

Google AI App Builder

Learn how to use Gemini API and API Studio with a three-course series from Google DeepMind

What's inside

Syllabus

Lecture Note

Before you start the Lecture, please download this lecture note. Each chapter has two version of lecture note. One is student version that has blanks, the Other is filled version.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in Engineering Dynamics, especially its rigid body dynamics

Explores Engineering Dynamics, which is standard in Mechanical Engineering

Teaches Engineering Dynamics, which helps learners understand force, motion, work, energy, impulse, and momentum

Develops Engineering Dynamics skills, which are core skills for Mechanical Engineering

Taught by Sukyung Park, who is recognized for their work in Engineering Dynamics

Examines Engineering Dynamics, which is highly relevant to Mechanical Engineering

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Rigid body dynamics: comprehensive and challenging

According to learners, this course provides a solid theoretical foundation in rigid body dynamics, essential for mechanical engineering. Students often praise the clarity of the lecture videos and the comprehensive coverage of topics, including 3D kinematics and kinetics. While the course content is highly relevant and well-structured, a common theme is the challenging nature of the homework assignments and the overall pace, requiring a strong background in prerequisite subjects. Many find it an excellent resource for deepening their understanding, though some suggest more practical examples could enhance the learning experience.

Assumes solid prior knowledge in mechanics and math.

"This course assumes a strong background in calculus, linear algebra, and especially particle dynamics."

"If you're rusty on your mechanics fundamentals, I'd strongly recommend reviewing them first before starting this course."

"I found it crucial to have taken the 'Particle Dynamics' course prior to this one to keep up with the material."

Covers a wide range of essential dynamics topics.

"The syllabus covers a comprehensive range of topics, from 2D to 3D kinematics and kinetics."

"I particularly liked the inclusion of impulse-momentum and work-energy for rigid bodies."

"The breadth of topics, including gyroscopic motion, ensures a thorough understanding of the subject."

Provides a robust theoretical understanding of the subject.

"The course provides a very solid theoretical grounding in the subject, which is exactly what I needed."

"I appreciated the depth of theoretical understanding imparted by the lectures; it's not just formulas."

"It really helped solidify my understanding of the underlying principles of rigid body motion."

Complex concepts are explained with great clarity.

"The instructor explains difficult concepts really well, making rigid body dynamics understandable."

"I found the lecture videos very clear and easy to follow, especially for abstract topics like gyroscopic motion."

"The explanations provided are exceptionally lucid, which helped me grasp even abstract ideas within the course."

Could benefit from more real-world applications.

"While very strong theoretically, I wish there were more practical, real-world examples to connect concepts to."

"I found the course to be very academic; more practical application cases would make it more engaging for me."

"It's a great foundational course, but for direct engineering application, I'd need to seek additional examples."

Assignments are demanding and require significant effort.

"The homework problems were quite challenging and required significant effort and time to complete."

"I struggled with some of the more advanced 3D dynamics problems, which felt very demanding."

"Be prepared for a steep learning curve; the assignments truly test your understanding."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Rigid Body Dynamics with these activities:

Read Mechanics 3 by J.L Meriam and L.G. Kraige

Show steps

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts covered in this course. Reading this book before the course begins will help students get a head start on the material and be better prepared for success.

View Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 8th Edition on Amazon

Show steps

Read the first few chapters of the book
Make notes on the key concepts
Try to solve the practice problems at the end of each chapter

Practice integration by parts

Show steps

Integrating functions is an important skill for students taking this course. By reviewing integration by parts before the course begins, students will be better equipped to solve problems and succeed in this course.

Show steps

Review the formula for integration by parts
Practice integrating simple functions by parts
Try to integrate more complex functions by parts

Watch video tutorials on YouTube

Show steps

There are many helpful video tutorials available on YouTube that can help students learn the concepts covered in this course. Watching these tutorials can be a great way to supplement the material learned in class and improve understanding.

Show steps

Search for video tutorials on the topic you want to learn
Watch the video tutorial
Take notes on the key concepts

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Solve practice problems from the textbook

Show steps

Solving practice problems is a great way to reinforce the concepts learned in class. By working through practice problems, students can identify areas where they need more practice and improve their problem-solving skills.

Show steps

Choose a practice problem from the textbook
Read the problem carefully and identify the given information
Draw a diagram of the problem
Apply the appropriate equations to solve the problem
Check your answer

Tutor other students in the course

Show steps

Tutoring other students is a great way to solidify your own understanding of the material and help others succeed.

Show steps

Form a study group with other students in the course
Meet regularly to discuss the course material
Help other students with their homework and practice problems

Create a presentation on a topic covered in the course

Show steps

Creating a presentation on a topic covered in the course is a great way to synthesize the course content and develop a deeper understanding of the material.

Show steps

Choose a topic for your presentation
Research the topic
Create a presentation outline
Develop your presentation slides
Practice your presentation

Create a collection of resources on the course topic

Show steps

Creating a collection of resources on the course topic can be a great way to synthesize the course content and develop a deeper understanding of the material.

Show steps

Search for resources on the course topic
Create a list of the resources you find
Organize the resources into a collection
Share the collection with other students

Career center

Learners who complete Rigid Body Dynamics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineers are responsible for the design and analysis of structures, including buildings, bridges, and towers. This course can contribute to a Structural Engineer's understanding of the forces and motions that structures experience, enabling them to design safer, more resilient structures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Structural Engineer

Automotive Engineer

Automotive Engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture automobiles. Taking this course can help engineers develop a stronger understanding of the forces and motions that vehicles experience, optimizing their designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers are responsible for the design, development, testing, and maintenance of aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. This course can complement coursework taken by Aerospace Engineers as it will help them build on their understanding of solid dynamics, one of their core engineering topics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer

Naval Architect

Naval Architects are responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of ships and other marine vessels. This course can provide Naval Architects with a deeper understanding of the forces and motions that ships experience, helping them optimize their designs for efficiency and safety.

See salaries and explore the career path for Naval Architect

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers are responsible for designing, building and testing mechanical devices, engines and machines. Gaining a thorough grounding in Rigid Body Dynamics by taking this course can help set the foundational understanding for the forces and motions that these devices undergo when used.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers are responsible for the design, construction, and operation of robots. This course can strengthen foundational knowledge of solid dynamics, a crucial aspect of robotics engineering for understanding and controlling robot motion.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining systems that combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Taking this course can provide Mechatronics Engineers foundational knowledge in solid dynamics, a critical aspect of mechanical engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers are responsible for the design and construction of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. This course can help Civil Engineers build a strong foundation in understanding the forces and motions that structures are subject to, ensuring the safety and integrity of their designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing medical devices and equipment. Taking this course can help bolster their understanding of forces and motions these devices experience, leading to the development of more effective and efficient medical equipment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biomedical Engineer

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers are responsible for the design, development, and integration of complex systems. This course may be useful to Systems Engineers seeking to deepen their understanding of dynamics, as it can provide insights into the forces and motions that systems experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers are responsible for the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems that ensure the efficient use of people, materials, information, and energy. This course may be useful for Industrial Engineers seeking to deepen their understanding of dynamics, which can be applied to a variety of industrial processes and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers are responsible for the research, development, and production of new materials. This course may be useful to Materials Engineers seeking to deepen their understanding of dynamics, as it can provide insights into how materials behave under various forces and motions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Engineer

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers are responsible for the design, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants. This course may be useful to Nuclear Engineers seeking to broaden their understanding of dynamics, as it can provide insights into the unique forces and motions involved in nuclear reactions and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Engineer

Mining Engineer

Mining Engineers are responsible for the design, development, and operation of mines. This course may be useful to Mining Engineers seeking to enhance their understanding of dynamics, as it can give insights into the forces and motions involved in mining operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mining Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining electrical systems. This course may be useful to Electrical Engineers seeking to broaden their understanding of dynamics, as it can introduce them to aspects of solid dynamics not typically covered in electrical engineering coursework.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Rigid Body Dynamics.

Classical Mechanics

Save

This classic textbook provides a thorough grounding in the principles of classical mechanics, including rigid body dynamics. It valuable reference for students and professionals alike, offering a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

Rigid Body Dynamics

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Rigid body dynamics: comprehensive and challenging

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses