What is Mechanics: Definition and 999 Discussions

Mechanics (Greek: μηχανική) is the area of physics concerned with the motions of physical objects, more specifically the relationships among force, matter, and motion. Forces applied to objects result in displacements, or changes of an object's position relative to its environment.
This branch of physics has its origins in Ancient Greece with the writings of Aristotle and Archimedes (see History of classical mechanics and Timeline of classical mechanics). During the early modern period, scientists such as Galileo, Kepler, and Newton laid the foundation for what is now known as classical mechanics.
It is a branch of classical physics that deals with particles that are either at rest or are moving with velocities significantly less than the speed of light.
It can also be defined as a branch of science which deals with the motion of and forces on bodies not in the quantum realm. The field is today less widely understood in terms of quantum theory.

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  1. KingOfDirewolves

    Classical Mechanics Problem Based On Conservation Of Energy

    I have tried using Conservation of Energy but I'm getting incorrect answer.
  2. dRic2

    Hamiltonian Mechanics: why paths in state space never cross each other

    I'm reading a book about analytical mechanics and in particular, in a chapter on hamiltonian Mechanics it says: "In the state space (...) the complete solutionbof the canonical equations is pictured as an infinite manifold of curves which fill (2n+1)-dimensional space. These curves never cross...
  3. Andres Padilla

    Problem about orbital mechanics

    I tried it, but I am not getting no of the given answers According to the statement, it is saying that 3 KE (in the orbit ) = ΔUg So, beeing R the radius of the Earth and R2 the radius of the orbit: 3 (1/2)(GMm/r2) = -GMm/r2 - (-GMm/R) Canceling out the GMm: (3/2)(1/r2)= (-1/r2) + (1/R)...
  4. A. Neumaier

    I Polarization in Bohmian mechanics

    How does Bohmian mechanics explain the working of a polarizer?
  5. microsansfil

    A Bohmian mechanics for instrumentalists and quantum measurement

    Hi, I'm reading Demystifier's article about an interpretation of quantum mechanics. One concept that seems important for this interpretation is that of what is perceptible by us human beings compared to what is not (non-perceptible). Demystifier says: A perception by a naked eye is direct, a...
  6. K

    Mass Transfer in a Binary Star System

    Homework Statement: A binary star system consists of M1 and M2 separated by a distance D. M1 and M2 are revolving with an angular velocity w in circular orbits about their common center of mass. Mass is continuously being transferred from one star to the other. This transfer of mass causes...
  7. D

    Question for anyone with Morin's "Introduction to Classical Mechanics"

    Hi. There is a worked example in this book on P168-169 titled "Chain on a scale". Two different ways of obtaining the solution are shown. I am confused about the 2 different methods. Method 1 equates the rate of change of momentum of the chain to the net force on the chain giving F. Method 2...
  8. S

    Yo-yo on an accelerating conveyor belt

    First off, I was wondering if the acceleration of the conveyor belt can be considered a force. And I'm not exactly sure how to use Newton's second law if the object of the forces is itself on an accelerating surface. Also, I don't know whether it rolls with or without slipping. I thought I could...
  9. Santilopez10

    How Does Radar Track a Plane's Motion in Different Coordinate Systems?

    I tried to workout the problem but I find motion in different coordinates systems a bit weird at the moment, so only thing I could do is realize that the x component of ##\vec r(t)## is: $$vt +x_0$$ but for simplicity we will use the initial condition ##x_0=0## so that ##t_0## is the moment the...
  10. B

    Where is a particle most likely to be? (Griffiths Quantum Mechanics)

    The wave function described seems impossible. Wave functions have to be differentiable at all points, right? Otherwise they don't represent a physically realizable state. The wave function in the example isn't differentiable at x=A, the maximum point. Also, for problem (c), I know it's visually...
  11. S

    A Does Bohmian Mechanics yield the existence of a multiverse?

    David Deutsch, a theoretical physicist, talks about David Bohm in his book "the Fabric of Reality": "[w]orking out what Bohm’s invisible wave will do requires the same computations as working out what trillions of shadow photons will do. Some parts of the wave describe us, the observers...
  12. H

    A Quantum Mechanics: Exploring Symmetry and Continuation

    Does quantum mechanics follow causality, phase transition, critical point, symmetry, asymmetry, order, disorder, continuation, discontinuation, limitation, without limitation, convergence, divergence, similarity, hierarchical structure, singularity, plurality?
  13. amare

    Practical application of engineering mechanics dynamics in civil engineering

    what is the practical application of engineering mechanics dynamics in civil engineering when civil engineers work on static analysis?
  14. A

    Classical Companion book to Huang's Statistical Mechanics

    My professor will be using Huang's Statistical Mechanics next semester and I have been reading a lot of polarizing reviews. Does anyone recommend a book to read parallel to Huang's to better understand the material and that discusses the same topics in similar fashion?
  15. Sebastian_

    How to study Mechanics, and what after it?

    Summary: (TL;DNR) What subject should I study next in the realm of physics, considering I am a beginner Hello I am visiting this forum because as a young kid that is trying to learn physics without a proper teacher I am quite lost. Not as in I don't understand the material, its more so I don't...
  16. M

    Conservation laws in Newtonian and Hamiltonian (symplectic) mechanics

    In Newtonian mechanics, conservation laws of momentum and angular momentum for an isolated system follow from Newton's laws plus the assumption that all forces are central. This picture tells nothing about symmetries. In contrast, in Hamiltonian mechanics, conservation laws are tightly...
  17. M

    I Why does quantum mechanics believe that gravity is a field?

    According to general relativity, gravity is simply the side-effect of bending the geometry of space-time. As a thought experiment imagine a 3D image being projected from a 2D hologram - the distance between the actual 2D pixels in the 2D plane always remains constant, yet depending on the shape...
  18. Vicol

    Probability density function in classical mechanics

    Probability density function plays fundamental role in qunatum mechanics. I wanted to ask if there is any analogous density function in classical mechanics. Obviously if we solve Hamilton equations we get fully deterministic trajectory. But it should be possible to find function which shows...
  19. V

    Is Newton I independent of Newton II?

    If Newton II is defined as ##\sum F = \dot{p}## and ##p = mv##, why do we consider Newton I as a separate law for cases where ##\sum F = 0##? Is Newton I really independent of Newton II?
  20. T

    I What makes the interpretations of Quantum Mechanics so important?

    How valid is the statement "It means physics is ultimately concerned with descriptions of the real world" in the realm of QM? Heretic question, what is "real" besides the outcome of the measurement?
  21. A

    I Understanding Operators in Matrix Mechanics

    I'm trying to understand some notes that I have been given on Matrix Mechanics, specifically how the matrix element comes about and builds a matrix which when used applies the effect of an operator on a wavefunction. But I'm having some difficulties following what's being done in the notes with...
  22. adosar

    I Momentum operator in quantum mechanics

    The momentum operator for one spation dimension is -iħd/dx (which isn't a vector operator) but for 3 spatial dimensions is -iħ∇ which is a vector operator. So is it a vector or a scalar operator ?
  23. M

    A Is time irrelevant in quantum mechanics?

    Could one come to think that time is irrelevant in quantum mechanics? we know that the QM equations are written with the time variable, (schrodinger equation). Yet everything suggests that time is irrelevant, as the search for loop quantum gravity seems to indicate
  24. V

    Basic fluid mechanics questions about an oceanography paper

    Problem Statement: There is no precise problem statement since it's an homework to be done independently, but I will try my best to explain it concisely (I also apologize for my mistakes in English) : I want to reproduce the simulation of the model presented in the pdf file attached to this...
  25. A

    Solve Mechanics Problems: Find Time & Displacement Relation

    First F=m(x+2) Initial velocity is 2m/s find the relation between the time and displacement Second F=m(2v+3) Initial velocity is 3 m/s Find v(t) Please help me I tried but I can't finish it
  26. D

    Quantum Should I Get Both of Dirac's Quantum Mechanics Books?

    Hello, I remembered once hearing of a must-have quantum mechanics book by Paul Dirac. I don't remember if it was his Principles of QM or Lectures on QM. Based on the table of contents, I believe it was the Principles of QM book; however, looking at both I was thinking about getting his Lectures...
  27. A

    Torque: find the force necessary for a body to be in equilibrium

    The question doesn't specify whether we're talking about translation or rotational equilibrium, so I suppose it's both: In order for the body to have translational equilibrium: 60 N + F2 = 0 F2 = -60N However, in order to have rotational equilibrium: 60 N * 3m + F2 *8 m = 0 60 N * 3m - 60 N...
  28. W

    I Relativistic Quantum Mechanics & Localized Particles

    A lecturer today told the class that relativistic QM for single particles is flawed by showing us that for a state centered at the origin, it was possible that ##Pr(\vec{x}>ct)>0##. He said that this was down to the fact that we should be considering multi-particle states in relativistic...
  29. A

    Compound lever arm - compressor design

    So what comes to mind is utilising the full height and further node points in a triangulated system... however being only just now introduced to the concept of a compound lever I am unsure of how to get this system to work. Any thoughts much appreciated.
  30. L

    I The Cellular Automaton Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

    Why aren't you guys discussing this? http://de.arxiv.org/abs/1405.1548 The paper is 259 pages. And it will take me a year to read it. The Cellular Automaton Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics doesn't use any wave function. Just please tell me. How does it explain for example the double slit...
  31. patric44

    Quantum What is the most suitable Quantum Mechanics book for these questions?

    i want to know what is the most suitable quantum mechanics that will enables me after studying it to answer these specific questions ? i mean based on the hardness of these questions ( what book would you suggest to study these subjects ) . and by the way what is the level of these QM questions...
  32. M

    Fluid Mechanics problem: Oil pressure calculations in pipe flow

    Problem Statement: An oil with density 900 kg/m3 and viscosity 0.18 Ns/m2 flows through a circular pipe which inclines upwards at 40° to the horizontal. The length of the pipe is 10 m and the diameter is 6 cm. The fluid pressure at the lower end of the pipe is 350 kPa and the pressure at the...
  33. hilbert2

    A Summation formula from statistical mechanics

    I ran into this kind of expression for a sum that appears in the theory of 1-dimensional Ising spin chains ##\displaystyle\sum\limits_{m=0}^{N-1}\frac{2(N-1)!}{(N-m-1)!m!}e^{-J(2m-N+1)/kT} = \frac{2e^{2J/kT-J(1-N)/kT}\left(e^{-2J/kT}(1+e^{2J/kT})\right)^N}{1+e^{2J/kT}}## where the ##k## is the...
  34. eliUCV

    I Quantum Mechanics, The Delta-Function potential

    Hi, I have a question, why when we study the Delta-Function Potencial we can treat with ##E < V##, since the following relation says ##\frac{d^2 \psi}{dx^2} = \frac{2m}{\hbar^2} (V - E) \psi## And do not allow it? or it is just ##E <...
  35. greenrichy

    Reasons for a gain of momentum during a collision

    I've come up with the following causes: - air resistance - parallax - during the collision, some of the kinetic energy gets converted into thermal energy. - invisible deformations But I'm not sure which would be the biggest effect on the total momentum change. Are there any other reasons that...
  36. greenrichy

    Centripetal force while a car makes a turn

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it is not possible to solve (1) with all the data that's given. As for (2), I have come up with the following solutions: (a) - The tension in the string acts as the centripetal force on the fuzzy dice (b) - The frictional force between the road and the car...
  37. Benjamin_harsh

    Do these words have same meaning in Newtonian mechanics?

    Are this 2 words have same meaning in Newtonian mechanics: More than 2 non-parallel forces and Coplanar Concurrent Force System?
  38. EEristavi

    Rotational Motion / Static Equilibrium - Mechanics

    I have a solution, However Cant understand 1 point.Now, This is the solution: ##N_2 l cos\theta + \frac 1 2 F_g l cos\theta - f_2 l sin\theta = 0## ## N_2(1 - \mu tan\theta) + \frac 1 2 F_g = 0## This is the the point that I don't like - yes it is less that 0, but it's even less that...
  39. R

    I Question About The Role of Observation in Quantum Mechanics

    In the double-slit experiment when a detector was placed before the two slits, a 2 strip pattern was produced after the two slits. When there was no detector placed before the two slits, a different pattern was produced after the two slits. Why does the presence of a detector before the two...
  40. A

    Modern uses of classical statistical mechanics?

    Most of the cases when I see applications of statistical mechanics is when Fermi-Dirac or Bose-Einstein statistic are used in condensed matter or the equilibrium equation of neutron stars. Besides the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, I would like to know what are the modern...
  41. L

    Possible Error in Goldstein's Classical Mechanics 3rd Edition

    1st page of Chapter 7, p.276, very last line, p=p'. I get that in Newtonian mechanics, the forces, times and masses are the same in two different inertial reference frames, but shouldn't the momenta measured be different?
  42. K

    Finding the depression and the tension of the string

    I would assume that all the tension in the wire originates from the weight of the mass, and is equal to ##T=mg##, but that is incorrect. Forming a right triangle with a hypothenuse denoted by ##x## and applying Pythagoras theorem: \begin{cases}x^2=y^2+l_o^2 \\ x+y=l_o+\Delta l\end{cases} Solving...
  43. A. Neumaier

    I Exploring Quantum Gravity's Impact on Quantum Mechanics

    See Peter Shor's comments here and here and Urs Schreiber's comments here.
  44. J

    A Does the effective action make sense in Quantum Mechanics?

    I think the effective action should make sense also in Quantum Mechanics, not only in QFT. But I have never seen described in a QM book as such. Could there be a QM book that uses effective actions? Or maybe in QM effective actions are called another name? I think effective actions in QM could...
  45. M

    Calculate the tension in a rope attached to a ball in circular motion

    The solution to the problem simply states: "Use of mv^2/r = 2000. T = (2000 + 7500) = 9500N". I don't understand this solution. Nothing more is provided. I don't know how you are supposed to find the radius (in order to use the centripetal force formula) merely from the information provided...
  46. A. Neumaier

    I The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics

    I'd like to point to the book The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics by C. Friebe et al., Springer 2018. It contains many topics usually underrepresented in foundational discussions of quantum physics, in chapters on many-particle systems and quantum field theory. It also has in its last chapter a...
  47. P

    Extra speed necessary to orbit at 970 km

    So using conservation of energy where v0 = 7000 m/s $$ K_{i} + U_{i} = K_{f} + U_{f} $$ $$\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}_{0} - \frac{GMm}{R} = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2} - \frac{GMm}{r}$$ where R = the radius of the Earth and r = the distance from Earth's center plus the height its orbiting $$v =...
  48. A. Neumaier

    A Jürg Fröhlich on the deeper meaning of Quantum Mechanics

    I'd like to draw attention to a very recent paper by Jürg Fröhlich, a well-known mathematical physicist from the ETH Zürich. It starts out as follows: Section 2 is titled ''Standard formulation of Quantum Mechanics and its shortcomings''. Surely @vanhees71 has very convincing reasons why this...
  49. Terra_Bitz

    Structural Mechanics Distinction Task

    To find axial load , 5m / 6m = 0.83 Arc tangent , tan-1(0.83) = 39.69 Cosine of the force , Cos(39.69) = 0.77 Sine of the force , Sin(39.69) = 0.64 Axial load in the vertical direction , (200kN/m X 6 = 1200kN / 2 = 600kN + self weight of 6kN = 606kN) So 606kN X 0.77 = 466.62kN Axial load in the...
  50. Hawkingo

    I What is the failure of superposition in quantum mechanics?

    In a book it says that "we know of quantum phenomena in the electromagnetic field that represents a failure of superposition,seen from the viewpoint of the classical theory." I want to about what quantum phenomena is he talking about? This was from the page 11 of the book Electricity And...
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