The material in this workshop comes from an area of applied mathematics with the generic name: mechanics. The study of mechanics comprises both statics, in which objects are not moving, and dynamics in which they are.

We shall concern ourselves with an introduction to dynamics. Firstly we shall consider the relationships between distance, speed and time, a study of which is called kinematics. Secondly we shall see how the concept of mass leads us on to study forces and the laws which provide the relationship between forces and motion. These are Newton's laws of motion.

PRIMARY: simple approach to conversation of energy and momentum; motion of a pendulum; bouncing balls.

SECONDARY: kinematics, Galileo’s law of motion; force and equilibrium, Newton’s laws, falling bodies, conservation of energy and momentum; bouncing balls; the pendulum.

SIXTH FORM: plus rigid bodies, angular momentum, circular motion.