Mechanical Definition and 1000 Threads

Mechanical engineering is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering branches.Mechanical engineering combines creativity, knowledge and analytical tools to complete the difficult task of shaping an idea into reality.
The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.Mechanical engineering emerged as a field during the Industrial Revolution in Europe in the 18th century; however, its development can be traced back several thousand years around the world. In the 19th century, developments in physics led to the development of mechanical engineering science. The field has continually evolved to incorporate advancements; today mechanical engineers are pursuing developments in such areas as composites, mechatronics, and nanotechnology. It also overlaps with aerospace engineering, metallurgical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and other engineering disciplines to varying amounts. Mechanical engineers may also work in the field of biomedical engineering, specifically with biomechanics, transport phenomena, biomechatronics, bionanotechnology, and modelling of biological systems.

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  1. V

    What are the important subjects for GATE mechanical?

    what are the important subjects for GATE mechanical...?:confused:
  2. M

    Mechanical Linkage Statics Problem

    Hi guys, I've been trying to resolve the following problem but have worked myself into a frenzy and would appreciate some guidance on how to proceed but also to set my mind completely clear. The problem is to find the load torque around the fixed pin joint arising from the piston force F_p...
  3. E

    Hand and power tools for Mechanical Engineering

    hi engineers i found very rare videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz4lzGv7pbZB-w6Zl_0ERvA1Ro3VeMgdo at https://www.youtube.com/user/MechanicsForAgrEng i hope you like it for science
  4. 8

    Mechanical Engineer with a decent pGRE

    Hi all, I've got a question about PhD programs: I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering, good GPA, and have been working for 4 years since. I will have strong rec's and plan to mostly apply to Materials Science and Engineering PhD programs. I did take the pGRE this spring and scored an 850...
  5. M

    Engineering Aerospace and Mechanical engineering

    So I have a couple years before I go off to university but I'm picking subjects to study right now. I'd like to do phys/chem/maths but I feel like I should have bio in case I decide to go for med. However, I'm trying to convince myself that it's pointless but an answer to this question might...
  6. B

    BS in Physics to MS in Mechanical Engineering

    I currently have a bachelor's in physics and I want to get into mechanical engineering. Should I get a bachelor's or a masters in mechanical engineering. I have the opportunity to enter a masters program, but it doesn't seem to make sense to me that they would accept me into the program...
  7. H

    Programs Skills to learn before pursuing degree in mechanical engineering

    I am going to be entering college as a freshman this fall and planning on majoring in mechanical engineering, but I have plenty of free time until then (~two months) and want to acquire some skills that are essential (or just useful) to the field. I'm interesting in things that would be to my...
  8. P

    Mechanical Energy - Self energy of Universe

    What is the total mechanical energy (self energy) of the universe that is due to the fact that it expands, taken the big bang as the origin - on the basis of general relativity? If anyone could supply me with the equation and number (what size is it in kgm2/s2) I would be very thankful.
  9. C

    Engineering Physics major with a minor in mechanical engineering

    Hi, so I'm a junior pursuing a B.S in physics but I'm thinking that might not be enough to make me competitive. So I am thinking about minoring in mechanical engineering to make me more competitive. The thing is I'm not sure if it will even matter in the job market. I want to wait a bit to...
  10. Y

    Mechanical engineering and hand drawings.

    hi all I am asking this question for a friend and I hope some of you will give me the right answer. if someone is thinking about pursuing a career in Mechanical engineering ,does he have to be worried about hand-drawings in case he is not a good painter? or all drawings will be done on the...
  11. T

    Is mechanical engineering the right thing to learn?

    Hello, this is my first post on physics forum. I really want to learn to design car parts, from engine blocks to wish bones. From what I've found it seems like mechanical engineering would definitely be useful for a foundation, but I just want to make sure there isn't a field more specific I...
  12. N

    Undergrad Aerospace Vs Mechanical.

    Hello All. I am planning for Undergrad and I am interested in having a part of Aerospace Industry and like to work in Boeing, Cessna etc. I have searched this Forum were some posters posed that Mechanical Engineering is more suited than Aerospace in Undergrad,if you are going to do MS in...
  13. Y

    Best country for Mechanical engineering.

    hi all when you want to study Mechanical engineering ,what is the first country come to your mind? is it Germany? if yes then why? is it the USA? again >why? waiting for your opinions.
  14. M

    What Are the Differences Between Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering?

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  15. G

    MEng in mechanical engineering then Doctorate in Aerospace

    Can I do that or do I need to a MEng in aerospace? They are fairly closely related. Also, how useful in a doctorate in engineering? It seems as more people get Masters that they are taking Bachelors jobs and PhDs are taking masters jobs. Is this right? Thanks
  16. S

    Career in aerospace engineering with a mechanical eng. background

    I am a student currently studying 3rd year in mechanical engineering. What can be my career options in aerospace industry?I also have interest in doing higher studies. What are the courses i can choose realted to aerospace engineering? Kindly reply
  17. J

    Mechanical Eng. Undergrad then Aerospace Eng. Graduate?

    Okay, so I'm a grade 11 student in Canada, and my goal is to become an aerospace engineer. For the past few months I've been doing research and though that Carleton University's Aerospace Engineering program seemed good. However, after reading various threads on this site, I'm contemplating...
  18. E

    Most practical specialization in mechanical engineering

    Hello everyone, I was wondering what is the most practical/hands on engineering specialization in mechanical that would not require someone to stay in front of a computer 8h a day, 40h a week because that is what I've mostly been doing at my internships so far (CFD simulations, excel, tecplot)...
  19. Z

    Need to solve a mechanical problem that's due on Wednesday

    Homework Statement The system is composed of 3 competing ( one after another) beams, like in the drawing. They are all from the same material, with the same admissible strain σ and the same elasticity module E. It is required to calculate the optimum configuration for the system, considering...
  20. K

    Are quantum mechanical effects faster than speed of light?

    For example - When an electron is excited from an inner shell to an outer shell in an atom, it does the quantum jump between the states. Pretty much it disappears from inner state and appears in outer state. Isn't this happening at faster than light? (The velocity is actually infinity for...
  21. D

    How many different velocities for this rotational mechanical system?

    Homework Statement I need to write the equations of motion for the mechanical system below. So I need to know how many velocities there are in the system, the answer key says there's only 4 but shouldn't there be 5? I am unsure if the J3 mass has it's own velocity from the point between K_2 and...
  22. V

    Programs Substitute for a Mechanical Engineering Degree

    Hello! (I hope this is the right place for this thread.) I have a family member who is in need of some help, and PF has always been incredibly helpful and amazingly insightful with all of my problems, so I figured that this is worth a shot. So, as I said, I have a family member who is...
  23. H

    Understanding Mechanical Energy in the EM System: A Griffith Perspective

    In griffith it is mentioned that the sum of the mechanical energy and electromagnetic field energy are conserved in a system, how is the mechanical energy defined in this case since a potential energy cannot be defined? Is it just the kinetic term by itself?
  24. C

    Engineering Straight Mechanical Engineering vs Dual Majors

    I'm currently studying a BEng (Mechanical) and was wondering about dual major options at my university. The two other majors that I'm looking at are Mechanical and Aerospace, and Mechatronic. I'm also considering doing a Masters of in either Electrical Engineering, Electricity Market or Systems...
  25. S

    Need advice regarding the major to take for masters in mechanical

    Hey, I've just graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and I'm planning to go for masters. But now, I've to choose between Applied mechanics, Machine design, Thermal sciences (Thermodyn and fluid mech) and Aerospace (Aerodyn in particular); all of which I like very much. I'm...
  26. 1

    Schools Good college for MS in Mechanical

    Hi everybody, i am currently studying Mechanical engineering and about to enter second year... i was thinking of doing my masters in mechanical from world renowned colleges like MIT, Caltech, etc. ... i want to know which among such colleges are the best ? And what should one have to do to...
  27. L

    Mechanical Engineers: Help Designing a Solid Shaft

    to my fellow mechanical engineers, please help me with some basic machine design problems. a certain drive shaft rotating at 500 rpm transmits 200 hp to an 8 inch diameter gear. Design a suitable solid shaft for this application. the shaft is ductile. Design stresses are to be limited to...
  28. W

    How hard is it to study mechanical engineering

    Hi guys! First post :) I`m a 3rd year high school student. Going to college in 2 years. I am planning to study mechanical engineering. How hard is it? I am not very good in math but I really really really want to be a mechanical engineer. Should i still take mechanical engineering even if i`m...
  29. A

    Mechanical Pump Hose and Hose Fittings for high-vacuum

    Hi, I am trying to create a high-vacuum system using a diffusion pump and a mechanical roughing pump. I need to replace my mech. pump's rubber hose with something that will not leak into the vacuum. Any suggestions on what hose and hose fitting would work best to weld permanently to my base...
  30. D

    Quantum Mechanical Operators - A Question Or Two

    A couple questions: is mass quantized? Energy is quantized, and momentum has eigenvalues for its operator so I took that to mean that momentum is also quantized. If those two are true (might not be! I'm new to this :-p), following E^2 = (pc)^2 + (mc^2)^2 Would that not mean that mass is...
  31. J

    Engineering Mechanical or Civil Engineering

    Hey guys, I currently in my second year of Bachelors in Civil, however i am contemplating on switching to mechanical. The reasons for this, is that i am wanting a degree that can lead me to a career where i can be involved in the design, development and integration of technology that have...
  32. G

    Mechanical engergy, energy conservation

    Homework Statement A 10-kg block is released from point A. The track is frictionless except from the portion between B and C which has a length of 3.0 meters. The block travels down the track, passes through BC and first collides with a small block (m=2kg), then they travel together and later...
  33. W

    Need reliable electrical or mechanical 24hr timer

    It needs to perform at least 50 cycles with a cumulative error of no more than [+\-] 30 minutes. This is for a home project. Any suggestions of components?
  34. D

    Ideal gas law mechanical work problem

    Homework Statement Calculate the gas' mechanical work on its environment for the thermodynamic process path IF. Solution says: 505 J Homework Equations W=\int_i^f p,dv i = Vi, initial volume f = Vf, final volume The Attempt at a Solution My approach is to find a...
  35. H

    Mechanical engineer to physicist/mathematician

    Hi: As graduation approaches, I would like to evaluate my strength, weakness and interest in engineering as well as other fields. Well , to begin with, I would like to address that I will be getting my B.S in mechanical engineering, specializing in mechatronics. But as I have...
  36. A

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering Career Path

    Hi Physics Forum, I know the question is broad, but I do wish for advice on this matter. I will be graduating in one month with my degree in Mechanical Engineering and I was hoping for some guidance based on my education and experience. I have completed three internships and one senior...
  37. C

    Engineering Advise on mechanical engineering to physics decision

    Hi everyone, I’m a 23 year old female, currently in my final semester of a mechanical engineering degree. I’ll start with some background information... I've loved physics and astronomy since first reading about black holes and the life cycle of stars in Dad's ancient Encyclopedia...
  38. K

    Exploring Oscillations in Mechanical Systems

    Homework Statement Oscillation in mechanical structures can often be described by the function: y(t)=(e^(-t/τ))*sin(ωt+θ) Where t is time , ω is oscillation frequency in radians per unit time. The oscillations have a period of 2*π/ω and their amplitudes decay in time at a rate...
  39. G

    Is [x,p]=i quantum mechanical?

    In CM, p is the generator of translations. On functions, exp[ i(-i) d/dx] is what translates. So the relationship [x,-id/dx]=i seems to just be some sort of group theoretic relation. Where did quantum mechanics come into this? Was it the fact that you represented the translation operator...
  40. F

    Help with a mechanical energy exercise

    Homework Statement A spring cannon is used to shot horizontally a marble mall, whose mass is 75g, from a platform located 1.2 m from the ground. If the spring compression is 25 mm, the ball hits the ground 4,2m from the base of the platform. Not taking friction into account, determine...
  41. E

    An approach to conservation of electrical mechanical energy

    Homework Statement A point charge q1=5μC is held fixed in space. From a horizontal distance of 6.00 cm, a small sphere with mass 4g and charge 2μC is fired toward the fixed charge with an initial speed of 40.0 m/s. Gravity can be neglected. What is the acceleration of the sphere at the...
  42. N

    Conservation of mechanical energy for skier on sphere

    Homework Statement A skier of mass m starts from rest at the top of a solid sphere of radius r and slides down its frictionless surface. At what angle θ will the skier leave the sphere? Homework Equations KE= 0.5mv^2 PE = mgh Fc = (mv^2)/r The Attempt at a Solution I am really...
  43. X

    How Do You Calculate Spring Compression and Cart Speed After Collision?

    Homework Statement A 1.2 kg dynamics cart is rolling to the right along a horizontal lab desk at 3.6 m/s, when it collides head on with a spring bumper that has a spring constant of 2.00 * 10^2 N/m. a) Determine the maximum compression of the spring b) Determine the speed of the cart at...
  44. B

    Quantum mechanical derivation of Einstein's equations

    This result will shortly revolutionize physics. This short paper breaks the barrier which has kept time as a C-number in the quantum theory while the other spacetime dimensions are operators. Amazing! http://vixra.org/abs/1209.0010 ABSTRACT: A non-unitary quantum theory describing the...
  45. J

    Finding a mechanical torque as a funct. of time

    Hi all, I am a bit stuck here... trying to find a mechanical torque for a square current carrying loop wire (basic generator), rotates counter clockwise around Z axis in a magnetic field B (1T). Angular velocity w =dθ/dt = 200 rpm, R is 0.2 ohm, length is 0.2.m Need to come up with the...
  46. B

    Calculating lost mechanical energy

    Hey guys, I'm trying to complete a homework problem, but I'm not quite sure how to approach it. Here is the question: A 90.5-kg fullback running east with a speed of 4.91 m/s is tackled by a 94.7-kg opponent running north with a speed of 2.93 m/s. Determine the mechanical energy that...
  47. agnibho

    Innovative mechanical or electrical really cheap toy

    Homework Statement OK, this is a project given to a group of us. I don't really know whether this is a homework question, if it isn't please correct me frankly. We need to make a toy that is really cheap, and quite innovative. I don't need any suggestions whatsoever, but I have got some ideas...
  48. A

    Engineering Guidance on choosing electrical or mechanical engineer

    I seem to be at a stalemate. I have an interest in the workings of all things, I enjoy getting my hands dirty and getting hands-on with my job and designing new things which mechanical engineering gives more opportunity for (I understand somewhat that they have other people to do that for...
  49. N

    Engineering A bachleor's degree in mechanical engineering and a masters in idustri

    I want to become an Industrial Engineer,but for some reason i have to attend a specific college that only offers a masters degree in Industrial. What I want to know if it is a smart move to major in Mechanical engineer with a minor in Business Administration and then get a masters in Industrial...
  50. G

    Materials for a Lightweight, Sturdy Mechanical Chair

    Hello I am building a chair that will mechanically open itself remotely from a folded form. I decided to make this chair mobile I already have the electronics planned but i need help on the chairs easy mobility. My first question what materials are sturdy enough to hold a person that is...
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