Kinematics vs. Dynamics
Some of the main types of problems you will encounter in your beginning physics classes are dynamics and kinematics problems. Below you will see how these types of problems are the same and how they are different.
*Remember: the best way to solve any problem in physics is with a picture
Kinematics
Kinematics tells us how something is moving
We use kinematics to solve dynamics questions
Usually, kinematics will involve your position/velocity/acceleration information
Ask:
How are these pieces of information related?
How are these pieces of information different?
How can I use what I have to connect pieces of information?
Click here to see some Kinematics Examples
Dynamics
Dynamics tells us what forces are at play
When solving a dynamics problem, always draw a free-body diagram (FBD)
We need to first figure out how this object is going to move
After we figure out how it is going to move, then it becomes a kinematics problem