What is a key advantage of a symbolic solution over a numerical solution in dynamics?

Correct answer: It enables a dimensional check at every step.

Explanation

This question highlights the benefits of using algebraic symbols (symbolic solutions) in problem-solving, a key skill in engineering analysis.

Other questions

Question 1

What are the two distinct parts of dynamics?

Question 2

Who is credited with the beginning of a rational understanding of dynamics through careful observations concerning bodies in free fall, motion on an inclined plane, and motion of the pendulum?

Question 3

What is the basic frame of reference for the laws of Newtonian mechanics, which is an imaginary set of rectangular axes assumed to have no translation or rotation in space?

Question 4

What is the definition of a 'particle' in the context of dynamics?

Question 5

Which of Newton's laws of motion states that the acceleration of a particle is proportional to the resultant force acting on it and is in the direction of this force?

Question 6

In the SI system of units, what are the base units for mass, length, and time?

Question 7

Why is the SI system of units termed an 'absolute system'?

Question 8

What is the derived unit of mass in the U.S. customary system, defined as the amount of mass that accelerates at one foot per second squared when acted on by a force of one pound?

Question 9

A body has a mass of 5 slugs. What is its weight in pounds on the surface of the earth, using a standard gravity value of 32.2 ft/sec^2?

Question 10

According to Newton's law of gravitation, the mutual force of attraction F between two particles is proportional to what?

Question 11

A body has a mass of 1 kg. At an altitude of 1000 km, its weight is 7.340 N. What is its weight at an altitude equal to the mean radius of the earth (6371 km)?

Question 12

What is the internationally adopted standard value for the gravitational acceleration (g) relative to the rotating earth at sea level and at a latitude of 45 degrees, in SI units?

Question 13

The 'apparent weight' of a body as measured by a spring balance on the surface of the earth is slightly less than its true weight (gravitational force). What is the reason for this difference?

Question 14

What does the principle of dimensional homogeneity state?

Question 15

In the symbolic notation for dimensions, what are the dimensions of force (F) in terms of mass (M), length (L), and time (T)?

Question 16

What is one of the greatest difficulties encountered by students in solving dynamics problems, according to the text?

Question 17

According to the 'Method of Attack' for solving problems, what is the first sub-step under '2. Develop the solution'?

Question 19

A module weighs 100 lb on the surface of the earth. Using the value g = 32.2 ft/sec^2, calculate its mass in slugs.

Question 20

A module with a mass of 3.11 slugs is taken to an altitude where the absolute acceleration of gravity is 29.2 ft/sec^2. What is its weight at this altitude?

Question 21

A payload module is inside a space shuttle orbiting the earth at an altitude of 200 miles. What is the weight of the module under these conditions?

Question 22

What is the primary reason that the acceleration of a freely falling body as measured from the surface of the earth (relative g) is slightly less than the absolute value of g calculated for a non-rotating earth?

Question 23

In the context of problem solving, what is a free-body diagram?

Question 24

If Newton's first law states a particle remains at rest or in uniform motion if there is no unbalanced force, how is this law related to his second law (F = ma)?

Question 25

What is the mass in kilograms of a car that weighs 14715 N on the earth's surface? Use g = 9.81 m/s^2.

Question 26

What is the mass in slugs of a car that has a mass of 1500 kg? Use the conversion factor 1 slug = 14.594 kg.

Question 27

What is defined as the quantitative measure of the inertia or resistance to change in motion of a body?

Question 28

Newton's famous work, which stated the laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, was published in the first edition of what book?

Question 29

At what altitude h above the earth's surface is the weight of an object reduced to one-half of its earth-surface value? Assume a spherical earth of radius R.

Question 30

An equation is found to be [MLT^-2][L] = [M][LT^-1]^2. According to the principle of dimensional homogeneity, is this equation dimensionally correct?

Question 31

A force of 1 pound is applied to a mass of 1 slug. What is the resulting acceleration?

Question 32

A force of 1 newton is applied to a mass of 1 kg. What is the resulting acceleration?

Question 33

The textbook notes that in U.S. customary units, the pound is unfortunately used as a unit for both force (lbf) and mass (lbm). To avoid confusion, what unit does the textbook almost exclusively use for mass?

Question 34

What is time considered to be in Newtonian mechanics?

Question 35

Which of the following modern technologies is listed as an application of dynamics?

Question 36

An object in a space shuttle's circular orbit is often described as being in 'zero-g'. According to the text, is this term correct in the absolute sense?

Question 37

According to the 1980 International Gravity Formula, the value of g varies with latitude. Where is the relative value of g at sea level the lowest?

Question 38

What is the key distinction between a 'dimension' and a 'unit'?

Question 39

Which of Newton's laws constitutes the principle of action and reaction, stating that forces between interacting bodies are equal, opposite, and collinear?

Question 40

A car has a mass of 1500 kg. What is its weight in pounds? Use g = 9.81 m/s^2 and the conversion 1 lb = 4.448 N.

Question 41

What is the primary purpose of the study of engineering mechanics, as stated in the 'Philosophy' section of the Preface?

Question 42

If a body is treated as a particle, what aspect of the body is considered irrelevant to the description of its motion?

Question 43

In the International Gravity Formula g = 9.780327(1 + 0.005279sin^2(lat) + ...), what does the formula account for in addition to the earth being an ellipsoidal model?

Question 44

What is one of the main advantages of a symbolic solution that helps to focus attention on the connection between the physical situation and its mathematical description?

Question 45

If a particle of mass m is subjected to a resultant force F, what is the resulting acceleration a, according to Equation 1/1?

Question 46

How does the text suggest you should denote handwritten vectors to distinguish them from scalars?

Question 47

What is the weight in newtons of a 90-kg man at a latitude of 40 degrees, using the standard sea-level gravity value of 9.80665 m/s^2?

Question 48

A space shuttle is in a circular orbit at an altitude of 150 mi. A passenger weighs 200 lb on the earth's surface (at 45 deg latitude, g = 32.174 ft/sec^2). What is the passenger's approximate weight at this altitude? The radius of the earth is approx. 3959 mi.

Question 49

In Chapter 1, what does the chapter review checklist ask the student to be able to do regarding Newton's laws?

Question 50

What physical relationship must be dimensionally homogeneous for it to be a correct physical relation?