- #1
observer1
- 82
- 11
An introductory course in rigid body dynamics for mechanical engineers introduces kinematics, then kinetis and then work/energy.
Can I ask for your opinions?
Is this necessary?
I can see the need to discuss work/energy to understand Hamilton's Principle.
But is there any reason to labor students with this topic and to the extent it is currently taught in most introductory textbooks?
As I see it, the Work/Energy/Potential Energy topic is good for cases where there is little to no dissipation. And it allows for rapid back-of-envelope checking of solutions.
But in the current pedagogy, it seems disordanatly elevated. And as a result, students see it as a whimsical alternative to getting equations (and do lots of roller coaster problems).
Yes, it is important to introduce the terms. But I have only really learned it when studying differential forms. It seems we waste too much time teaching work/enegy in the undergraduate curriculum, when they really need to understand how to extract equations of motion. Once the students get to the real world, they never use Work/energy solutions, excpet insofar as Hamilton's Principle, etc.
May I ask for your opinions on this?
(And, yes, I appear to be contradicting myself, esp. with regard to my other question on virutal work... so be it.)
Can I ask for your opinions?
Is this necessary?
I can see the need to discuss work/energy to understand Hamilton's Principle.
But is there any reason to labor students with this topic and to the extent it is currently taught in most introductory textbooks?
As I see it, the Work/Energy/Potential Energy topic is good for cases where there is little to no dissipation. And it allows for rapid back-of-envelope checking of solutions.
But in the current pedagogy, it seems disordanatly elevated. And as a result, students see it as a whimsical alternative to getting equations (and do lots of roller coaster problems).
Yes, it is important to introduce the terms. But I have only really learned it when studying differential forms. It seems we waste too much time teaching work/enegy in the undergraduate curriculum, when they really need to understand how to extract equations of motion. Once the students get to the real world, they never use Work/energy solutions, excpet insofar as Hamilton's Principle, etc.
May I ask for your opinions on this?
(And, yes, I appear to be contradicting myself, esp. with regard to my other question on virutal work... so be it.)
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