This Unit of Study at Junior level is designed specifically for BEd (Secondary) (Human Movement and Health Education) students to provide basic knowledge and understanding of concepts in mechanics. It is presented with a minimum level of mathematics and the mechanics concepts are illustrated with examples from everyday experience and sporting activities.

The lecture course will be built around themes. For example, in discussing walking, the following questions will be discussed:

• How do you walk?
• Is there are a limit to walking speed and why?
• What happens on a slippery surface?
• How does walking differ from running?

Concepts of mechanics covered will include: linear motion, force, static equilibrium, linear momentum, work, energy and power, circular motion, projectile motion, angular momentum, lift and drag forces, and mechanical vibrations.

This Unit of Study will give students

• an understanding of the basic concepts in mechanics needed to study sports biomechanics in later years
• an ability to use basic mathematical skills to solve problems in the area of physics relevant to their future careers
• knowledge of the methodologies used to measure relevant physical quantities and of the use of models to analyse simple situations in sport and human movement.

Unit Information

More details of all aspects of Sports Mechanics can be found (in PDF format) in the Unit of Study Outline. To view PDF files you will need the Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free from the USYDNet site at http://helpdesk.usyd.edu.au/software.html.

Resources provided for Sports Mechanics include lecture notes, assignment solutions, a sample exam paper and information on the Report are all accessible for enrolled students from the WebCT pages. Access requires a Unikey (Extro account) Username and Password that is issued with your confirmation of enrolment. A brief introduction is available to help you (in PDF format).