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Mechanics Problem-Solving Flowchart

The document provides a flowchart for solving mechanics problems using conservation laws when possible. It outlines steps to determine if conservation of momentum, angular momentum, or mechanical energy can be applied. If not, forces and torques using Newton's laws are applied by isolating each object, drawing force diagrams, and developing constraint equations to solve.

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Sachin Singhla
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77 views1 page

Mechanics Problem-Solving Flowchart

The document provides a flowchart for solving mechanics problems using conservation laws when possible. It outlines steps to determine if conservation of momentum, angular momentum, or mechanical energy can be applied. If not, forces and torques using Newton's laws are applied by isolating each object, drawing force diagrams, and developing constraint equations to solve.

Uploaded by

Sachin Singhla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Flowchart for Solving Mechanics Problems

Forces and Torques


Most problems are easier to solve using conservation laws than F = ma
and = I , so your first job is to figure out whether you can use conservation laws.

Select an Origin

Conservation Laws

Is there a fixed point in


the problem, such as an
axle, that will provide
reaction forces?

Yes

No
Is there a net external force on
the system?

No

Momentum is conserved. Use p0 = p f .

Yes
Can I choose a point in an inertia frame such that the sum
of external torques about this
point vanishes?

Yes

Angular momentum is
conserved about this
point. Use L0 = L f .

Is there a point of contact about which an object instantaneously rotates?

Yes

It is usually helpful to
compute torques and
angular momenta
about this point.
It may be easier
to use the point of
contact to calculate
torques and/or
angular momentum.

No

Calculate torques
about the center of mass.

Apply Newtons Laws

No
Is mechanical energy conserved (if friction is present,
does it do no work)?

Yes

Conserve energy using


X1
1
K = MV 2 +
m i v i02
2
2
i
or a simplification.

Isolate each object and draw


a diagram of the forces on it.
Apply F = ma to each object to get
1 or more dynamical equations.

No
Use forces and torques.

Apply = I to each object


to get a dynamical equation.
Develop equations of
constraint as necessary
among dynamical variables.
When you have as many equations as unknowns, solve!

Peter N. Saeta

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