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Unit of study_
AMME9500: Engineering Dynamics
2026 unit information
This unit of study will focus on the principles governing the state of motion or rest of bodies under the influence of applied force and torque, according to classical mechanics. The course aims to teach students the fundamental principles of the kinematics and kinetics of systems of particles, rigid bodies, planar mechanisms and three-dimensional mechanisms, covering topics including kinematics in various coordinate systems, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy principles, impulse and momentum (linear and angular), gyroscopic motion and vibration. Students will develop skills in analysing and modelling dynamical systems, using both analytical methods and computer-based solutions. Students will develop skills in approximating the dynamic behaviour of real systems in engineering applications and an appreciation and understanding of the effect of approximations in the development and design of systems in real-world engineering tasks.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Engineering
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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AMME5500 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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University level Maths and Physics, especially covering the area of Mechanics, and familiarity with the Python programming environment |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. derive and apply the kinematic relationships for point-mass systems in various coordinate systems, and apply and solve Newton’s laws of motion linking force inputs and motion outputs
- LO2. apply the principles of work and energy, impulse and momentum to predict the motion of point-mass systems, including conservative, non-conservative and impact forces
- LO3. develop equations of motion and their solutions for free and forced response single-degree-of-freedom vibrating systems, distinguishing between undamped and damped cases
- LO4. derive and apply the kinematic relationships for planar motion of rigid bodies and multi-component systems
- LO5. formulate and solve the kinetic equations for the planar dynamics of multi-component rigid-body systems, linking force inputs and motion outputs
- LO6. develop and implement computational models to numerically integrate the equations of motion for point-mass and complex 2D dynamic systems, perform symbolic manipulation of governing equations, and analyse constrained multi-body systems using appropriate numerical and symbolic techniques
- LO7. formulate the general 3D kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies to analyse the spatial motion of single or multi-component rigid bodies (non-compulsory module for advanced / space students)
- LO8. solve problems and communicate results for elementary, complex and open-ended engineering dynamics questions in the form of mathematical analysis and written reporting
Unit availability
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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