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. R

    Mechanical waves compressions and rarefactions

    Are all mechanical waves composed of compressions and rarefactions ? Apart from sound waves what other mechanical waves are there ?
  2. G

    Releasing mechanical energy over time

    Is there a way to wind up a spring or coil to store mechanical energy and then release that energy slowly over a longer period of time instead of allowing the spring to release rapidly all at once?
  3. K

    Programs Mechanical engineering degree vs mechanical engineering technology degree

    What is the difference? My school only offers the technology one. It says you can still take the exams to become a licensed engineer. Will this make an impact job wise? Good or bad?
  4. K

    Biggest differences between aerospace and mechanical engineering?

    I've recently considered going back to college for engineering. What are the biggest differences in aerospace and mechanical engineering other than aerospace being focused on air born objects? I think I've really taken an interest on the side of aerospace engineering. If you are an aerospace...
  5. K

    Biggest differences between aerospace and mechanical engineering?

    I've recently considered going back to college for engineering. What are the biggest differences in aerospace and mechanical engineering other than aerospace being focused on air born objects? I think I've really taken an interest on the side of aerospace engineering. If you are an aerospace...
  6. B

    Engineering Is it easy to go from a Mechanical Engineering background to Physics

    Hi, I am currently an mechanical engineering student. When i finish my BS in engineering i want to a BS in physics. Will i have to take a lot of additional courses in the physics BS?
  7. M

    Why Does Distance from a Pivot Point Reduce Effort in Mechanics?

    ok, I know that being further away and using a fulcrum/pivot point from an object being moved takes less energy. i.e using a 4 foot crow bar to pry open something. But i can't grasp the concept of why being further away makes it so much easier. thanks
  8. A

    How did the Bohr Model improve the Quantum Mechanical Model?

    Homework Statement How did the Bohr Model improve the Quantum Mechanical Model on our knowledge of electrons? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution So far I have that the quantum mechanical model of the atom restricts the energy of the electrons to certain values called...
  9. K

    Full quantum mechanical description of the double slit experiment

    Many textbooks use the double slit experiment to introduce quantum effects. However, all texts I know use handwaving arguments instead of the whole formalism of QM. Especially dynamics is completely omitted. I don't expect that a complete microscopic description -including the walls- has been...
  10. P

    Engineering Is Electrical Engineering any easier than Mechanical eng. ?

    I was told that M.E is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, engineering fields, so my question is, is E.E any easier than M.E ?
  11. C

    How to Mathematically Model a Single Vane Rotary Vacuum Pump?

    Hi all, I was recently given a project at my college intership where I am supposed to model a mechanical singe vane rotary vacuum pump mathematically. The objective of the analysis is to find the work required to run the pump and the resulting net loss of energy from the system. I was told...
  12. H

    Mechanical engineering if you hated Physics I (Mechanics)

    Hi, I was wondering that if one disliked Physics I (Mechanics & Waves), would they hate mechanical engineering as well? How closely related are the two? Here is the curriculum for my Physics I course: "The basic laws and principles of Newtonian mechanics; oscillations and waves". So kinematics...
  13. S

    Total Mechanical Energy Swing Problem

    A 30 kg child is playing on a swing. Another child is pushing. That second child does 75 J of work on the swing. Ignore friction. The swing has zero mass compared to the child on the swing. There is a diagram. So basically: Postion A Height = .6 m. Position B Height = .2 m and Postion Height C...
  14. S

    Total Mechanical Energy Problem

    The 120 kg roller coaster just makes it to the top of hill A that is 15 m above the ground. It moves forward, picking up speed towards location B which is only 3 m above the ground. What is the total energy of the roller coaster as it passes location B, C, and D? Note: the velocity at the top of...
  15. P

    Programs Physics major vs mechanical engineering?

    Hey guys. So I came here to ask a couple of questions that you guys probably know the answers to. Basically, I am a high school senior and I took physics in my junior year, and I loved it so much I took it again in senior year (this time just a higher level course). I'm really loving it. I ace...
  16. T

    Does anyone know a good supplier for mechanical parts?

    me and my father are working on a new project for his company and we need a supplier which has a big variety of parts and sells for low quantities. i will be glad if anyone can recommend me on good suppliers =>
  17. H

    Master's in electrical engineering after bachelor's in mechanical engineering?

    Hello, Is it possible to get into master's program for electrical engineering (in North America) after completing a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering? The reason being is that I plan to pursue a bachelor's in mechanical engineering because that's the 'safe' degree for where I live...
  18. S

    Mechanical principles assistance.

    Homework Statement Hello this is my first post. Im currently studying towards a level three national diploma in engineering operations. I need some assistance with a mechanical principles problem. ( A crude drawing of the problem has been attached haha) I need to work out the direct and...
  19. A

    Mechanical press - energy of flywheel

    Goodmorning, I know that the mechanical power press constructors give: 1) the diagram of permitted work depending on used number of slide single stroke per minute; 2) the diagram of eccentric loads on the slide (ellipsis graph). But I don't know how they can do these ones. For question...
  20. M

    Relation between electrical and mechanical resonant frequency

    My first post here. :D usually this situation does not arise, but I am working on thin piezoelectric films. When a apply a alternating voltage on the electrodes, the film vibrates. Now this constitutes a LCR circuit which has a resonant and anti-resonance frequency. Since it is vibrating, it...
  21. J

    Quantum mechanical derivation of ohm's law?

    I'm watching MIT 8.02 electricity and magnetism () and the lecturer says that there is a derivation of ohm's law but it uses quantum mechanics which is outside the scope of the course. Does anybody know of this derivation and can point me to it? I searched around but can't find anything
  22. K

    Interview with a mechanical engineer

    Hello, I wasn't sure where to put this questionnaire, because it says on top do not post homework, but then again, I need to ask real engineers and the other forum is for undergraduates ( I think). Anyway I need to interview a mechanical engineer for my careers class, and I had been hoping that...
  23. Q

    Transition from Mechanical Engineering to Physics

    Hello, I am currently a second semester sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering thinking about studying Physics at the graduate level after my undergraduate degree is done. My main inquiry is regarding the transition from Mechanical Engineering to Physics. How hard is it exactly (if at all)...
  24. S

    Linux Package to Simulate Mechanical Systems

    I want to start modeling mechanical systems, something say on the order of a motor, input torque only needed, driving a crankshaft that drives a piston. I'm looking to examine the forces generated in the crank, connecting rod and piston. I was wondering what open source Linux packages are...
  25. D

    Passive mechanical safety: thermal sense rods.

    So, I had this idea for passive safety. Break-apart rods (zirconium with low-melting point metal inserts for example) which go through reactor core at regular intervals, are tensioned by springs, and in the event of overheating, are torn apart, operating simple (springs, latches) mechanisms to...
  26. B

    Mechanical Energy in Bomb Blasts: Is it Conserved?

    in bomb blast is mechanical energy conserved or not if so then why?
  27. O

    Mechanical System for Lifting and Lowering Weight

    Hi, I am looking for a 115 VAC motor (able to be plugged into an ordinary power outlet) that is capable of raising and lowering a load of up to 150 lbs. (attached to a cable and a pulley) at the speed of 6 inches per second. I want the speed to remain constant even if the load changes. How can I...
  28. L

    A question about the speed of EM and mechanical waves

    I have known for many years that the speed of sound (usually quoted ≈340 m/s) and the speed of light (usually quoted ≈3*10^8 m/s) are vastly different. Doing some reading, I would seem to conclude that part of the reason for this is the fact that sound is a mechanical wave, propagated through...
  29. L

    Mechanical vibrations homeworks

    Homework Statement what distance x from the axis of variation O should be 1 kg slider, the system oscillations period is 0.9 s? T=0.9 s; the spring stiffness k=75 N/m; slider mass m=1 kg; beam mass m=3 kg; Homework Equations I\varphi(over letter "..")+k\varphi=0 \varphi(over...
  30. A

    Mechanical acceleration and veloctiy relationship

    Homework Statement The motion of a particle is expressed by a=42-12x2 where a is in m/s2 and X is in m, with the initial condition: v=0 when x=0 and t=0 Determine v when X=6 Determine X when v becomes 0 again Homework Equations I tried using a=dv/dt so i took the anti derivative of a...
  31. L

    The mechanical Equivalent of heat: total increase in temperature of the water?

    Homework Statement If in Joule's paddle wheel experiment a block of mass 10 kg is allowed to fall through 22.5 meters and the mass of the water is 50 grams. What is the total increase in temperature of the water? Can your value of J be used for determining how much mechanical energy can...
  32. M

    Conservation of Linear, Rotational Mechanical Energy

    Homework Statement Attached is a photo of the linear and rotational dynamics exercises. Times t1 and t2 were measured. For the linear exercise the top block was pushed with an initial force along the FRICTIONLESS level plane. It passed the timing device twice. Once through and once on the way...
  33. V

    How Does Doubling the Mass Affect Wave Speed on a Wire?

    Homework Statement When a mass M hangs from a vertical wire of length L, waves travel on this wire with a speed V. a) What will be the speed of these waves in terms of V if we double M without stretching the wire? V=? Good morning, could someone please tell me why my answer of rad...
  34. N

    Mechanical Engineering Tools help

    (I apologize ahead of time If I posted this in the wrong section) I'm in the process of starting an import business. I'm trying to do some market research and need some help, since I don't know too many mechanical engineers myself I want to know if any of you have any experience with these...
  35. L

    Mechanical Engineering POP Quiz: Questions & Answers

    So there are some things that I feel are important for engineers to just know. Though the questions are basic it may help students with some fundamentals. QUESTION 1 A cantilever beam is loaded at its free end as seen in the attached Figure. What and where is the maximum normal stress...
  36. B

    Percent of initial total mechanical energy lost during a round trip?

    Given: Mass= 5 kg Vo= 40 m/s Vf=50 m/s s=150 m Ho=0 Hf=50.2 m g=9.8 m/s/s friction=6.26 N θ=30° *You will probably not use all of these values* What percent of initial total mechanical energy is lost during the round trip? (a block (with mass m) going up an inclined plane, and...
  37. K

    Masters in Mechanical or Nuclear for useful in the industry

    Hi all I am happy to announce that I have made it into the industry. Of course the learning train never stops and I will need to think about a masters. What I have noticed is that there seems to be a greater need for ME and EE in industry than NE. With that being said do you think it...
  38. K

    What maths would you need for mechanical engineering?

    I mean when we're getting into higher level courses and real life, what are the more applicable subjects in math for mechanical engineering? I'm not asking for myself but for a friend. He wants to get into Computational Fluid Dynamics and would like to prepare himself better during his...
  39. S

    Acoustic versus mechanical impedance

    Can someone explain to me the following: I have been told that acoustic impedance is analagous to mechanical impedance. For mechanical impedance (Z), Z = force / velocity and for acoustic impedance (Z), Z = pressure / flow However, in the mechanical case, force refers only to...
  40. B

    Admissions Applying to Waterloo; Mechatronics or Mechanical?

    Hey guys, I am kinda in a dilemma here about applying to Waterloo (I'm currently in high school present in Ontario) for mechatronics or mechanical engineering. I was wondering if you guys could help me out with some experience in engineering in general and such to make an informed desicion...
  41. D

    Relativistic correction to quantum mechanical system

    Relativistic correction to quantum mechanical system: quantum well with a particle moving in high velocity relative to lab frame (the well moves together with the particle in it). Without relativistic correction there will be a probability for the particle to be outside the well since it's...
  42. D

    Conservation of Mechanical Energy

    Homework Statement A 1.0 kg projectile is fired from a point on the Earth's surface at an angle θ = 45° with the horizontal and with an initial velocity v = 30 m/s. Neglect any effects due to air resistance and find: a) What is the kinetic energy of the projectile when it reaches the...
  43. K

    Mechanical Energy Staircase Problem

    Homework Statement Problem 1: A standard-sized and typically able college-age human walks into a building for an appointment on the 10th story. The elevator is broken. She walks up the 9 stories. Roughly speaking: (a) How much mechanical energy does she need to expend to climb those 9...
  44. nukeman

    Loss of mechanical energy due to friction - ?

    Loss of mechanical energy due to friction - ?? Homework Statement Here, ill post the problem as a picture below, so you have all the info. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I am having trouble with a: Since I don't have to worry about angles, and that the...
  45. G

    Mechanical Vibrations Differential Equation

    Homework Statement Find the general solution for the differential equation Homework Equations y'' + 16y = tan(4t) The Attempt at a Solution I get C1cos(4t) + C2sin(4t) = 0 for my homogeneous equation. I did the usual method of undetermined coefficients (I think I took all of the...
  46. M

    Combining thermo and mechanical design

    Hey everybody! I'm in my Junior year of undergraduate Mechanical Engineering and am trying to figure out what direction to focus my studies (mainly what industry to focus my pursuit for next job/internship)... Does anyone know of any fields/industries where an engineer can utilize...
  47. O

    Pure mathematics vs Mechanical engineering

    This year, I will apply for University of Waterloo, and I am quite certain that I will attend this university. But I have been having trouble of deciding my major. Of course, I don't want you to determine my major on in stead of my self! I am asking for advice. I really liked playing with...
  48. A

    Engineering What is Mechanical engineering techonology?

    I'm currently a Mechanical engineering major in my junior year. My current GPA through my sophomore year is 2.75 (2.4 for Major) (yeah my humanities are keeping me afloat..hmm). I was thinking of switching to Economics or Business but i just don't think i'd enjoy those either. I found that...
  49. G

    Which Field of Research should be chosen in Mechanical Engineering

    Dear Fellows I am just going to start my PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Can you people suggest me, which area should I choose? That will be interesting and challenging... Any Suggestions PLEASE... Saqib.
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