What Do We Learn in Engineering Dynamics (Mechanics 2)?

By Pankaj Kumar|Last Updated: July 12, 2026|

Key Takeaways

Engineering Dynamics covers kinematics, kinetics, rigid bodies, and mechanical vibrations.
Newton’s second law (F=ma) is one of the most critical equations in all of mechanics.
Energy and momentum conservation methods simplify many dynamics problems significantly.
Rigid body motion in 3D is advanced; most US colleges teach it selectively.
Mechanical vibrations basics are covered here; a full course exists for mechanical engineers.

Engineering dynamics (mechanics 2) has several topics that we need to learn. We can divide it into the following parts. If you are working through this subject, connecting with an engineering dynamics tutor early can help you build a strong foundation before the harder chapters arrive.

Kinematics of Particles

Kinematics is the study of motion without going into the cause of it. In comparison, particles mean a body with non-zero mass but zero (almost insignificant) size. This chapter does not deal with forces, and it only talks about point objects.

Here we start with the motion of a particle having constant acceleration and in a straight line. Then we learn how to solve problems where acceleration is variable, and we can no longer use the simple kinematics equations. As a result, we need to start using basic calculus to deal with such problems.

Then we learn how to deal with curvilinear motion where the particle no longer moves in perfectly straight lines. We also study rectangular and non-rectangular axes systems.

To do well in this chapter, you must draw a clear diagram that helps visualize the problem. Also, you must learn SMART methodology for solving problems in engineering dynamics.

Kinetics of Particles: Newton’s Second Law

Kinetics refers to the study of motion and its causes (forces). In the previous chapter, we did not cover the cause of the motion (external and internal force). But, this chapter studies Newton’s second law of motion viz F=m*a.

This equation comes from Newton’s second law, which effectively connects motion (acceleration) with the cause of the motion (force). It is a critical equation and one of the most important in entire mechanics. The concept of linear momentum, angular momentum, and central force motion is introduced, and several problems are given for practice.

Students who also study related subjects often find it useful to get help with mechanics of materials alongside dynamics, since the two courses share foundational principles.

Kinetics of Particles: Energy and Momentum Methods

The concept of work, energy, impulse, and momentum is introduced with two powerful tools, namely “conservation of energy” and “conservation of momentum.” We can solve almost any mechanics problem using the force method (F=ma), but energy and momentum conservation theorems make the solution extremely easy in many cases.

So we must learn how to solve dynamics problems using these two conservation methods. This chapter also studies “impacts” or collisions that primarily use the conservation of momentum method.

System of Particles

There is nothing called a point object or particle in the real world. Everything has non-zero size, and we must learn how to solve problems where we can no longer ignore the size of the body.

Luckily, the concepts that we have studied for point objects can also be extended to a system of particles. In this chapter, we learn how to modify the existing laws and equations for point particles to a system of particles.

Kinematics of Rigid Bodies

The equations that we developed and learned in the previous chapter for a system of particles are hard to use in complicated real-life situations. Luckily, we can assume a vast majority of bodies as rigid bodies where the relative position of particles does not change.

We start with a rigid body’s translation and fixed axis rotation and move on to general plane motion. We begin with velocity analysis using vectors, which is relatively more straightforward. A simpler graphical velocity analysis method also exists, called “Instantaneous center of rotation” (a similar approach for acceleration analysis does not exist).

We then move on to acceleration analysis, which is slightly more complex. We then learn about the “rotating axis,” which is extremely difficult for the students. The motion of rigid bodies in space is even more complex, and most engineering colleges in the USA hardly teach it.

However, a few universities in the USA, Kuwait, UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia cover this topic. In the UK, though, they usually teach every topic, and nothing is optional. Engineering students managing a heavy course load alongside other commitments may find the engineering deadline crunch survival guide a useful read during this demanding chapter.

Plane Motion of Rigid Bodies: Forces and Acceleration

Here we learn the kinetics of rigid bodies and constrained plane motion. Concepts from fluid behaviour in mechanical systems sometimes intersect here; students who also study fluid mechanics tutoring will recognise some of the analytical approaches used.

Plane Motion of Rigid Bodies: Energy and Momentum Methods

Here we learn about energy and momentum methods for rigid bodies, and as an application, we study “eccentric impacts.”

Kinetics of Rigid Bodies in Three Dimensions

This chapter applies the concepts learned so far in 3-dimensional problems. We study the motion of “Gyroscope” as an application.

Mechanical Vibrations (Basic)

We learn about SHM (Simple Harmonic Motion) without any damping and then move on to the more complex free, forced, and damped vibrations. We study only the basics here as vibrations are quite an advanced subject in itself.

Hence, a more detailed course on vibrations is there for mechanical engineers, which they cover in the whole semester.

(Chapters are taken from Vector Mechanics for Engineers — Statics and Dynamics by Beer, Johnston. Published by McGraw-Hill Education. View source.)

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