mechanics

Mechanics – branch of science concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment.

It can also be defined as a branch of science which deals with the motion and force of the particular object.

• Statics – the study of equilibrium and its relation to forces
• Dynamics – the study of motion and its relation to forces
• Kinetics – concerned with the relationship between the motion of bodies and its causes, namely forces and torques

Kinematics – dealing with the implications of observed motions without regard for circumstances causing them …interactive

• Kinematics (images) – the study of the motion of objects.
• Objects can move in a straight line (linear motion),
• circular motion (images) – along a curved path (circular motion or parabolic motion)
• simply vibrate or rotate about a fixed position (vibrational and rotational motion)

Applied mechanics

region of application:

• Celestial mechanics, relating to stars, planets and other celestial bodies
• Continuum mechanics, for materials modelled as a continuum, e.g., solids and fluids (i.e., liquids and gases).
• Relativistic mechanics (i.e. including the special and general theories of relativity), for bodies whose speed is close to the speed of light.
• Statistical mechanics, which provides a framework for relating the microscopic properties of individual atoms and molecules to the macroscopic or bulk thermodynamic properties of materials.

[/Statics Statics] – [/Pressure Pressure]
[/Dynamics Dynamics]

[/Fluids Fluids] – Buoyancy
[/Solids Solids]

Quantum mechanics (QM) – also known as quantum physics, or quantum theory – a branch of physics which deals with physical phenomena at microscopic scales, where the action is on the order of the Planck constant (atomic and subatomic length scales).

That’s engineering

• parabolic path – a curve traced by objects when fired or thrown into the air then falling to Earth
• equilibrium – a static or dynamic state of balance between opposing forces or actions

Engineering ideas

• linear motion, circular motion, speed, tangential velocity, centripetal acceleration, center of mass, moment of inertia, angular momentum, torque

Do it
Here are some challenges for you to work on…

• play Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics (free app – interactive simulations) – learn the principles of applied mechanics by exploring five interrelated topics: Energy & Work, Force, Power, Loading, and Mechanisms. These concepts are essential in the development of innovative products and product systems and learning about how things work.

Learn more…

• Introduction to Mechanics – basic principles of physical laws, their application to the behavior of objects, and the use of the scientific method in driving advances in this knowledge
• Mechanics Diagnostics Test – included questions (and answer key) to test understanding of Mechanics. As there are lots of misconceptions about the basic ideas, this test was designed to find out where the problems in understanding Mechanics are.
• One Dimensional Kinematics
• Review of Mechanics