EMA Midterm 1 Learning Targets:

Describe force and types of forces

Apply the fundamental principles of Statics and Newton's laws of motion

Demonstrate understanding of Newton's Law of Gravitation 

Identify engineering units and apply appropriate unit conversions 

Utilize polar and Cartesian vector representation in vector calculations

Perform, visualize, and interpret vector operations (including addition, subtraction, multiplication, dot product, cross product, and scalar triple product)

Resolve a vector into vector components

Calculate and visualize unit vectors, vector magnitudes, direction angles, and direction cosines. 

Apply vectors to define positions in space and compute angles between vectors

Determine parallel and perpendicular components to specific directions and normal directions to planes

Apply vector concepts to analyze real-world statics problems

Understand assumptions required to model real-world problems as particles

Construct and evaluate Free Body Diagrams (FBDs) for static equilibrium problems involving particles in 2D and 3D

Differentiate between applied and reaction forces 

Determine reactions and forces by solving equilibrium equations for particles in 2D and 3D

Compare vector and scalar approaches to solving static equilibrium problems for particles

Analyze reactions and forces for systems with cables, bars, pulleys, and springs

Determine force components in different coordinate systems, including inclined planes

Evaluate the safe load that can be applied to a simple structure

Explore how changes in design and load parameters impact the performance, stability, and safety of simple structures.