- Set up the coordinates of the system.
- Identify any geometric or kinematic constraint equations between coordinates.
- Constraint equation- an equation that relates coordinates.
- Degree of Freedom (DoF)- number of independent coordinates needed to completely describe the motion of a dynamic system.
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DoF = # coordinates - # constraint equations
- Draw free body diagram(s) (FBD).
- Apply Newton’s 2nd Law or the Work-Energy equation to the FBD(s).
- Obtain the equation(s) of motion (EoM).
- Use the constraint equations and the equation(s) from step 4 to cancel out any unknowns and to combine equations so that as many EoMs as there are DoFs are left.
- Solve the EoM(s).
- Use either the Newtonian approach with differential equations or the Work-Energy approach.