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02 Dynamics

Dynamics is a branch of applied mathematics (specifically classical mechanics) concerned with the study of forces and torques and their effect on motion, as opposed to kinematics, which studies the motion of objects without reference to its causes. Isaac Newton defined the fundamental physical laws which govern dynamics in physics, especially his second law of motion. Example for equations or models are F = ma. This topic is a rich source for mathematical modeling pedagogy, we speculated has a role to play for cliching the award by  2015 for Singapore. Conservation of momentum in collisions and explosions allowing the prediction of subsequent motion of the objects or particles. Forces exist in pairs and they act in opposite directions on the two different bodies.

Elevator phone accelerometer simulation with a person standing on a weighing scale

Interactive elevator phone accelerometer simulation for Newtonian mechanics: this browser-based model lets students use a phone accelerometer or a manual acceleration control to investigate normal force, weight, apparent weight and weighing-scale readings in a lift.

The activity goes beyond a static worksheet: learners observe live force arrows, calculate the scale reading, answer auto-marked questions, receive targeted hints, and generate xAPI/SLS-friendly learning evidence for teachers.