This course serves as an introduction to the fundamental aspects of analytical mechanics with emphasis on aerospace systems. It stresses modeling of physical problems into mathematical terms.
TEXT: “Analytical Mechanics of Aerospace Systems,” by J.L. Junkins and H. Schaub, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, VA, 2003.
- Particle Kinematics
- Vector Description of Particle Motion
- Angular Velocity of Rotation of Coordinate Systems
- Differentiating Vectors Seen From Other Frames
- Particle Dynamics
- Newton’s Law
- Conservative Forces and Potential Energy
- Forced and Unforced Systems
- Work/Energy Principles
- Angular Momentum
- System of N Particles
- Super Particle Theorem
- Angular Momentum
- Kinetic Energy
- Rigid Body Attitude Coordinates
- Direction Cosine Matrix
- Principle Rotation Vector
- Euler Angles
- Continuous System
- Rigid Body Dynamics
- Angular Momentum
- Direction Cosine Matrix
- Inertia Transformations
- Kinetic Energy
- Euler’s Rotational Equations of Motion
- Introduction to Lagrange’s Equation of Motion
Years Taught: Fall ’00, Spring ’00, Fall ’99, Spring ’99, Fall ’98