What are the differences between Kinematics and Dynamics?

[chrisyuen]

Homework Statement

What are the differences between Kinematics and Dynamics?

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

Kinematics does not care about the cause leading to this motion while Dynamics does, is that true?

 

[brusier]

I have heard that dymanics explains the causes while kinematics represents the effects.

Dynamics is the why. What are the circumstances surrounding the situation? Characteristics of objects, conditions in situations and laws regarding forces.

Kinematics is the how. What is the net empirical result of the whys? Given certain situations (why) of motion what will be the observed results, the equations used in calculation. the interrelationship of variables

of the three components of science: observation, explanation (including predictions), and testing, kinematics is the observation of mechanics and dynamics is the explanation of mechanics.

 

[mikelepore]

I once heard this example: suppose someone far away is watching our world (through a telescope, or in a video, etc.) -- they can look, but they can't probe it in any other way. What are the things they may see a uniformly accelerating object do? They will be able to observe these variables: time, initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and displacement. Kinematics is about what you can see happening. Just by looking, you can't see the magnitudes of forces or masses, things the you need to know to explain why the object moved as it did.