rigid body dynamics
Solid object mechanics
Rigid body dynamics is the branch of physics that studies how solid objects move when forces act on them, assuming the objects don't bend, stretch, or deform.
This idealization simplifies calculations for everything from spacecraft orientation to billiard ball collisions.
The field encompasses both translation (movement through space) and rotation, governed by Newton's laws and their rotational equivalents: The video game uses rigid body dynamics to simulate realistic physics.
Rotational force measurement
- forceStrength or compulsion
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- moment of inertiaResistance to angular acceleration
- angular momentumRotational motion quantity
impulse · momentum · mass distribution · center of mass · kinetic energy · work · power · impact
Turning on an axis
- translationConverting between languages
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- degrees of freedomNumber of independent variables
trajectory · displacement · orientation · position · path · spin · precession · nutation
Mechanics of equilibrium
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- restCessation of activity
- static equilibriumZero net force, no motion
dynamic equilibrium · free body diagram · tipping · overturning · stable · unstable
Suspended swinging weight
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- dampingDissipation of vibrational energy
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
spinning top · natural frequency · resonance · harmonic motion · flutter · wobble · libration
Software modeling real-world motion
- collision detectionFinding when objects intersect
- solverOne who finds solutions
- ragdoll physicsFloppy character body simulation
- game physicsComputed motion and collision
animation · robotics · biomechanics · CAD · finite element · real-time simulation
torque
Rotational force measurement
- forceStrength or compulsion
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- moment of inertiaResistance to angular acceleration
angular momentum · impulse · momentum · mass distribution · center of mass · kinetic energy · work · power · impact · collision
rotation
Turning on an axis
- translationConverting between languages
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
degrees of freedom · trajectory · displacement · orientation · position · path · spin · precession · nutation · rolling
statics
Mechanics of equilibrium
static equilibrium · dynamic equilibrium · free body diagram · tipping · overturning · stable · unstable
pendulum
Suspended swinging weight
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- dampingDissipation of vibrational energy
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
gyroscope · spinning top · natural frequency · resonance · harmonic motion · flutter · wobble · libration
physics engine
Software modeling real-world motion
- collision detectionFinding when objects intersect
- solverOne who finds solutions
- ragdoll physicsFloppy character body simulation
game physics · animation · robotics · biomechanics · CAD · finite element · real-time simulation
- mechanicsforce, turning, rotation, momentum, velocity
- physics problemsacceleration, momentum, kinematics, projectile motion, Newton's laws
- rotational mechanicsangular momentum, moment of inertia, rotational motion, torque, rotational axis
rigid, dynamics, rigidity, rigidness, rigidify, nonrigid, rigidifying, rigidified