Kinematics and Dynamics in Biomechanics

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the provided lecture notes, covering key concepts in biomechanics focusing on kinematics and dynamics.

Center of Mass (COM)

The point in a body where the mass is evenly distributed in all directions.

Base of Support (BOS)

The area defined by the perimeter of an object and the supporting surface.

Static Equilibrium

Condition where all external forces and torques sum to zero and the object is at rest or moving at constant velocity.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Condition where an object is accelerating, either linearly or angularly, due to non-zero net forces or torques.

Impulse

The product of force and the time over which it acts, leading to a change in momentum.

Kinetics

The study of forces that cause or change motion, essential for understanding movement.

Newton's First Law

An object remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a net external force.

Momentum

The product of an object's mass and its velocity, a vector quantity.

Conservation of Momentum

In the absence of external forces, the total momentum of a system remains constant.

Kinematics

The branch of mechanics that describes motion without considering the causes of that motion.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity of an object over time.

Projectile Motion

Motion of an object thrown into the air, affected by gravity and sometimes air resistance.

Angular Motion

Rotational movement around an axis or pivot point.

Ground Reaction Force (GRF)

The force exerted by the ground on a body in contact with it.

Newton's Second Law

Acceleration of an object is directly proportional to net force and inversely proportional to mass.

Newton's Third Law

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Torque

A measure of the rotational force applied to an object.

Velocity

The speed of an object in a specified direction.

Acceleration due to Gravity (g)

The acceleration of an object due to the Earth's gravitational pull, approximately 9.81 m/s².

Angular Momentum

The rotational equivalent of linear momentum, given by the product of mass, velocity, and radius from an axis.

Impulse-Momentum Theorem

Impulse applied to an object equals the change in momentum of that object.

Balance Control Systems

Systems that use visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs to maintain stability and posture.