What is Mechanical: Definition and 1000 Discussions
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.
Last summer, I was taking apart a fan because it wasn't working. It turned as I expected that it was a burned out motor.
Now one of my co-workers was a little upset at me because I had called it an electrical problem or failure. He said a burned out motor is a mechanical failure.
Was he...
Firstly, I'm sorry for posting this here it seems like the best place possible, but I'm not quite so sure I didn't see a section for civil engineering. So I don't understand why a movable pulley increases the mechanical advantage. This occurs in a situation when one end of the string is fixed...
Regarding momentum, and the "Law of conservation of linear momentum", my book states that it's more general than mechanical energy, since mechanical energy is only conserved for conservative forces, while linear momentum is conserved independent of the forces, as long as the sum of external...
Homework Statement
B, K, M
Homework Equations
1. xs(t) -----spring ----mass-----damper-----fixed, derive DE for x of mass
given :2. F - > M -----spring-------damper ---- fixed in series, derive the DE for velocity of spring
The Attempt at a Solution
1. ma = -k(x-xs) -...
Would a doctorate in mechanical engineering help at all? Would one be able to easily find a job as opposed to a doctorate in physics? In addition, which one would generally have the more favorable salary?
thanks.
Hi everyone, I am conducting a small research on how many manufacturers (if any) use electric water pumps in production vehicles. So far I found that many Audi models have auxiliary electric pumps which help the main mechanical one when needed (and maybe to run for some minute after turning the...
Hello,
I’m a freshman engineering student at CU Boulder and I'm currently majoring in mechanical engineering, but I am seriously considering making the switch to aerospace engineering. I had a 4.0 GPA for the fall semester, but obviously that is not with very difficult classes (calculus...
Homework Statement
We are given L = 1/2mv2 - mgz.
a) Find the equations of motion.
b) Take x(0) [vector] = 0; v(0) [vector] = v0 [vector] ; v0z > 0 and find x(τ) [vector] and v(τ) [vector], such that z(τ) = 0; τ≠0.
c) Find S.
Homework Equations
Euler-Lagrange equation and...
I have a question about efficiency of electrical heating vs. mechanical heating.
Let me explain an example:
I have two containers with 1 litre of water each.
In one container I use a electric heater (electrical resistance) 1W.
In the other container I use an electric motor attached to a...
Hey. So I switched from ChemE to Engineering-physics (I guess I followed my hearth here, instead of my head), and this entails I will have to take a course in Electricity and Magnetism this semester. During the previous one, the Engineering-physics guys took a course in mechanical physics, and...
For example in this video at 5:00:
They show by turning the gear with little force allows for one to move a VERY HEAVY gate to operate the sea locks.
I don't understand how this is possible. Could anyone please explain the physics/theory behind this?
Thanks!
Homework Statement
A sphere rolls from rest down a slope without slipping. Show using energy considerations that the speed of the sphere once it reaches the bottom is V = \sqrt{\frac{10gh}{7}}
Homework Equations
mgh = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2} + \frac{1}{2}Iw^{2}
The Attempt at a Solution...
Nervous message -- nerves sensing heat & mechanical movement
As we know when we stimulate a nerve, there is a message form of electric nature.
But I want to ask how mechanical or heat or... stimulation is transformed into electric message?
Hey guys, I was wondering if you could help me out here. I'm working on a project that needs two fast linear actuators which I'm planning to control with the Arduino logic board, but I can't seem to find anything that suits what I need. Here are the specs.
-Type of actuator: Linear...
Homework Statement
I understand the problem conceptually. I just need help solving for x, which is the hardest part of the problem for me.
1/2mv^2 = 1/2kx^2 + umgx
The Attempt at a Solution
Not really sure how to solve this. I tried and tried to separate by x but nothing worked. Here are 1...
Like the title says is it possible to build a generator which will make around 5 watts of power for an hour? or even 2.5 watts in 30 minutes without needing constant human interaction like a hand cranked generator?
I have been looking at things like the grandfather clock mechanism, hanging a...
Just finished with my B.S.M.E. and now my M.S.M.E. and have been considering a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. I've been offered research opportunities in both the mechanical and electrical engineering departments, so really it's up to me to decide.
Can anyone put an industry spin on what I...
Specifically I plan on specializing as a Mechatronics engineer. I recently bought the book "Mathematical Proofs: A Transition to Advanced Mathematics" and I plan to study it on my own due to curiosity and interest towards mathematics. I would like to listen on one's opinion on how useful it...
I have been talking on this forum for a while about going back to school for engineering. I've been considering though getting a masters in software engineering. I am sort of conflicted though. I like computers but my main passion is aircraft. Since aircraft are becoming increasingly reliant on...
I would be much obliged if the engineers on the forum could answer the following query regarding mechanical advantage. I don't require exact calculations or anything, just a quick yes or no, along with some simple KISS type explanation will be gratefully received.
So, we have a situation in...
Mechanical principles - Stress and modulus of elasticity
Homework Statement
A 2.2m long steel towing bar of solid circular section diameter of 45mm is expected to carry a maximum load of 210 kN. The safety factor is 4; and for the steel the UTS is 540 MNm-2 and the modulus of elasticity is...
If a neutron in a nucleus is in a 1p state, before splitting this up into separate j-state (due to spin-orbit effect) this neutron has 6 possible states.
l = 1
m_l = 1, 0 or -1
m_s = 1/2 or -1/2Splitting this into j-states corresponding to l+s and l-s, as expected there are 6 states.
j = 3/2...
Hey Guys,
I know there are some other posts on this, but I have a slightly different situation than most of the ones I've looked at.
I'm a recently graduated Physics major. Starting junior-senior year I became interested in going into engineering. I would like to work in the space...
Hello.
I am a sophomore in college trying to decide between majors
Mechanical Eng. and Chemical Eng.
This decision has been a lengthy introspective battle since graduating high school.
I have always enjoyed chemistry, notably chemical reactions especially in food and drinks and biology. I...
Homework Statement
At time t < 0 there is an infinite potential for x<0 and for x>0 the potential is 1/2m*w^2*x^2 (harmonic oscillator potential. Then at time t = 0 the potential is 1/2*m*w^2*x^2 for all x.
The particle is in the ground state.
Assume t = 0+ = 0-
a) what is the probability that...
What exactly is the major difference between applied mechanics and mechanical engineering degree like the one in caltech?
Is applied mechanics generally less popular now?
Would it be better to pursue a career in physics or applied mechanics?
I am working on a career project for school about mechanical engineering. I would prefer to have more than one answer though because it would give me more details of the job and what I could expect from it. If you would like to give me any tips, recommend some colleges, important things to know...
Homework Statement
OK first, I didn't know where to post this since it is and is not homework,anyways, posting here would be safest.
Now, the attached scan is a proof from my (not so trustworthy) textbook and I have some doubts in it.
The first doubt is in statement S1 : Every element...
I am studying the analogy between mechanical oscillations and AC circuits.
For a mass on a spring, resonance occurs when there is a phase difference of 90 degrees. It seems like for a series RLC circuit, resonance must occur at a phase different of 0 degrees between the voltage from the...
Homework Statement
A .420kg ball is throw vertically upward at an intial sped o 12.1 m/s. If the initial potential energy is taken as zero find the bal's kinetic, potential, and mecanical energies a.) at its intial position b.) at 1.75m above the initial position, and c.) at its maximum...
A 75g Frisbee I thrown from a point 1.1 m above the ground with a speed 12 m/s when it has reached a height $.1 m its speed is 10.5 m/s What is the reduction in Emec of the frisbee-earth system because of air drag?
At first I thought Since ΔEmec= Δk+Δu the change is -0.61 J
Then I...
Homework Statement
what would be the total mechanical energy of a 200 kg satellite in a geosynchronous orbit around the earth? The only known data is the radius of the Earth and mass of the Earth the mass of the satellite, m=200 kg, it would have a period of T=24h, but i do not know the radius...
I need some help Desperately for this class.
this project is 10% of my grade and I'm doing really bad in this class >_<.
I have read the book but is all talking about is bunch of formulas that i have no idea how to relate them to this.
I uploaded the diagram as well that was part of the...
I am nearing the end of college, and have to start picking my electives to get approved. You can mix or match or do an emphasis in either mechanical design or energy. Ever since I started school, I was sure I wanted to do energy because the classes sounded interesting. But now, I have really...
Hi there,
again maybe stupid question but I have no idea about this exercise.
or maybe a little clue. i know that v=r?
but with the given 40° when i convert it to a rmp it is very small value 0.111111
and the r is 3m or 7m..
Please if someone can help me..
also if someone can help me with...
I am currently a Sophomore in Mechanical Engineering. To give you guys some background, I have been involved with motor sports my whole life (I have raced motocross most of my life), so Engineering was right up my alley, and it has always interested me. I haven't had much trouble in Engineering...
Hello,
Given that our body is 18-26% efficient in converting chemical energy into mechanical, does that mean that 74-82% of what I consume is not burned? Furthermore, assuming a certain task requires 1000 KJ, how many meals 2000 KJ each will I need to consume for completing it without gaining...
Homework Statement
a)Suppose the chancellor of the university drops a 2.00 kg water balloon from the administration
building balcony 10.0 m above the ground. The chancellor takes the origin of his vertical axis
to be even with the balcony. A student standing on the ground below the...
Hello, i was wondering if someone can help me out.
I finished law of momentum, and learned that for the conservation of momentum to be applicable, the system must be isolated.
An isolated system means no external forces, correct?
if i am correct, then i don't understand the law of...
More and more my teacher has talked about how results for mechanical problems are the same no matter what our coordinate system is (though it may be easier to calculate them in some coordinate frames). I must however admit, that I have never really had a clear explanation of what it means to do...
A cyclist has a speed of 5 m/s when she beings to coast down a hill, as shown in the figure. At the bottom of the hill, her speed has increased to 12m/s. the mass of the cyclist plus bicycle is 75kg.
a) Calculate the work done by gravity on the cyclist and bicycle.
b) Calculate the...
1. A 750-kg automobile is moving at 20.0 m/s at a height
of 5.0 m above the bottom of a hill when it runs out of
gasoline. The car coasts down the hill and then continues
coasting up the other side until it comes to rest.
Ignoring frictional forces and air resistance, what is the
value of...
I'm in my third and final year Bs. in mechanical engineering degree .(I need to do a 2 year Ms. to have a BE. equivilant in case anyone was wondering) .Anyways , I don't know where to start with my senior project. I'm interested in the bio mechanics field . I love animals (my dog is my best...
I'm in my third (final ) year in my Bs. in mechanical engineering .( we do a 3 year Bs. and a 2 year Ms. which is the equivalent of the 5 year BE. degree) .Anyways ,I have to present a senior project this year and I want to do something that is related to stuff i care about .
My question is...
I am a freshman in college and I am really interested in engineering and I've narrowed it down to Civil or Mechanical engineering. I am from Illinois but I am willing to travel.
I like civil engineering because I like the idea of creating large structures such as bridges and buildings. I also...
Homework Statement
In terms of mechanics, does negative Work produce negative Power? If so, what is negative mechanical Power?
Homework Equations
W=F*d
P=W/t
The Attempt at a Solution
I know if a car is rolling downhill and I try to push against it, but I end up getting pushed...
Is it true that the 2 have a lot of overlapping curriculum? At least that's what i have heard, can an actual Aerospace engineer comment on this as well?
I ask because i want to go into aerospace engineering but up here in Canada, there are like 2 schools in the entire country that offer the...