Newtonian Mechanics and Waves

This module introduces the basic concepts and principles of classical Newtonian mechanics and waves. A brief introduction to physical quantities and vectors is made. In the opening chapter, some important preliminaries such as vector representation of physical quantities in two and three dimensions will be discussed. These are used extensively in the later chapters. Subsequently, kinematics in one and two dimensions are discussed. Dynamics that helps one understand why objects move in different ways under the influence external forces is described next. Newton's laws of motion, the three physical laws that laid the foundation for classical mechanics follow Dynamics. These describe the relationship between a body and the forces acting upon it, and its motion in response to these forces.  

Ideas of work, energy and energy associated with mechanics such as kinetic and potential energy are discussed. In relation to these, two important principles, conservation of mechanical energy and the law of conservation of energy are then discussed. Further, two new concepts, impulse and momentum along with another important law called the conservation of momentum is introduced. The back and forth motion of bodies called the periodic motion or oscillation along with simple examples are discussed next. Finally, a brief introduction to waves that travel through a material that is called a medium is made. The characteristics of these waves such as periodicity, a mathematical representation of these waves are covered briefly.