Engineering Mechanics: Statics

What is Statics and how will it help me?

Statics is typically the first engineering mechanics course taught in university-level engineering programs.  It is the study of objects that are either at rest, or moving with a constant velocity.  Statics is important in the development of problem solving skills.  It teaches you to think about how forces and bodies act and react to one another.  You learn how to analyze word problems, pull out the important information and then solve. 

One of the most important aspects of this course is the use of free body diagrams.  Free body diagrams (FBDs) are used endlessly in many engineering courses and this course is where you will perfect your FBD drawing skills. The material and thought processes learned in this class will be of great benefit to you in any other application where you are analyzing relationships between objects and applying math concepts.

Why is this course better than the others?

Have you ever been in a class and been frustrated by the lack of fully-worked examples? This will not be that class.  I understand the frustration – I used to feel the same way.  Because of that, I teach my classes in a way that I would’ve preferred as a student.  Handwritten notes, simple explanations, and plenty of examples in a variety of difficulty levels.  You will not find PowerPoint slides here. To test your knowledge there are exams.  In case you get stuck, video solutions are provided. I also don’t assume you know more than you do – we’ll start with the basics and work our way up to more complex material.

What will I learn in this course?

Some of the topics we will cover:

– Vector and scalar operations

– Cartesian vectors

– Projection of a force along a line

– Free body diagrams

– 2-D and 3-D equilibrium for particles and rigid bodies

– Moments of forces

– Couple moments

– Methods of joints and sections

– Centroids

– Moments of inertia

– and more!

What do I need to know before starting?

The typical prerequisites for this class are Physics 1 and Calculus.  We will be using a few derivatives and integrals so you should be familiar with those concepts. We will cover everything else you need.

Is there a recommended textbook?

I, along with most students I’ve taught, really like the Engineering Mechanics – Statics text by Hibbeler.  If you don’t already have a textbook this one would be a great resource, although it is not required for this course.   

Why wait? There’s no better time than now! Enroll today!

Who this course is for:

• First and second year engineering students
• Individuals preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam who need a review of Statics
• Anyone interested in learning about basic mechanics