Kinetics and Kinematics

Kinetics and Kinematics are two of the main branches of dynamics, that is, the study of forces and motion. Kinetics deals with forces and motion only and reveals how forces affect motion. Kinematics deals with motion only–or how an object moves through space–without reference to any associated force. The information in this article will help you understand the difference between Kinetics and Kinematics as well as what each branch entails.

What is Kinetics? 

Kinetics is a branch of dynamics classically defined as “the study of force, momentum, energy, work, power”, which might be more commonly known nowadays as “the study of forces and their effects on objects”. In the early days, Newton’s laws of motion (specifically the second law of motion) were considered part of dynamics. By 1881 however, dynamics became a separate study and was split into two major branches: kinetics and kinematics.

Features of Kinetics:

Kinetics deals with forces and motion only. This is because, in the absence of a force, an object will not move at all. The three essential features of kinematics are:

1) Motion: the study of how an object moves;

2) Initial Position: the position of an object at a given point in time; and

3) Velocity: speed at which an object moves.

Additional features of Kinetics include:

1) Energy, Work and Power–which are synonymous terms for “force” in physical sciences. This is because these terms are used to describe how forces affect objects, so they would be inappropriate to use if we were not also dealing with motions.

2) Dynamic Equilibrium: meaning that in situations where forces are equal around an object, it will hold its position without any change.

Functions of Kinetics:

Kinetics can be used to study how forces interact with objects. It can be used to calculate projectile motion. Kinetics can also help you answer questions such as how much force it takes to push an object, or how fast the floor would move without a force acting on it. Kinetics is also used when you want to figure out which way something will go by using forces and velocities.

What is Kinematics?

Kinematics is a branch of dynamics that deals with objects solely in terms of their position, velocity or acceleration. This means it deals with how an object moves through space but not why it moves or how the motion was initiated.

Features of Kinematics:

1) Position: the position of an object at a given point in time;

2) Velocity: speed at which an object moves; and

3) Acceleration: speed at which an object changes velocity.

Functions of Kinematics:

Kinematics is useful in many situations, two of which include the study of projectile motion and conservation of mechanical energy. The study of projectile motion helps us understand how objects move in relation to gravity, regardless of whether it has a force applied to it or not. Conservation of mechanical energy involves dealing with the change in potential (gravitational) energy and kinetic (movement) energy due to forces acting on objects.

Kinematics deals with motion only–or how an object moves through space–without reference to any associated force. It is also known as the “study of motion” or “the study of motion through space”.

Difference between Kinetics and Kinematics:

1) Kinetics deals with forces and motion only. It helps you figure out how forces affect motion.

2) Kinematics deals with objects solely in terms of their position, velocity or acceleration. It helps you understand how an object moves through space but not why it moves or how the motion was initiated.

3) Kinetics is a branch of dynamics that deals with forces and motion only. Kinematics is a separate study that deals with objects solely in terms of their position, velocity or acceleration.

4) The function of kinematics is to explain changes in position (“kinematic variables”) according to the laws of physics (Equations). The main function of kinetics is to explain how forces affect objects.

5) Kinetics explains how forces affect motion whereas kinematics can be used to understand motion only.

6) In the case of kinetics, a body that has no force acting upon it will not move at all. On the other hand, in the kinematic scenario, an object that is not being affected by a force will just continue moving at its current velocity (unless acted upon by another force).

7) Kinetics and Kinematics both have their own respective applications within physics and engineering. 

Conclusion:

The branch of dynamics within physics that deals with the motion of objects due to forces is referred to as Kinetics. It is concerned with how forces affect motion. The branch of dynamics within physics that deals with the position, velocity or acceleration of objects only is referred to as Kinematics. It is concerned with how an object moves through space but not why it moves or how the motion was initiated. A good way to distinguish between these two branches is by remembering that Kinetics deals with forces and motion, while kinematics focuses on the movement and position of objects in relation to time and without reference to any associated force.