Mechanik

Mechanik, typically translated as mechanics in English, is a branch of physics and engineering that studies motion and the forces that cause it. It aims to describe and predict how objects move, interact, and transfer energy and momentum, across a wide range of scales and conditions.

Classical mechanics deals with macroscopic objects at speeds well below light. It includes kinematics, which describes motion without regard to its causes, and dynamics, which explains motion through forces. Statics studies bodies in equilibrium. Within classical mechanics, rigid body mechanics, particle mechanics, and continuum mechanics model objects from simple particles to deformable media.

Continuum mechanics treats solids and fluids as continuous media and covers solid mechanics (elasticity, plasticity, fracture) and fluid mechanics (hydrodynamics, viscosity, turbulence). Subfields include rheology, biomechanics, and fluid–structure interaction. These frameworks are used to analyze stresses, strains, energy transfer, and flow in engineering designs and natural systems.

Modern mechanics extends beyond the classical domain. Quantum mechanics describes motion and interactions of particles at atomic and subatomic scales, using probabilistic states and wavefunctions. Relativistic mechanics adjusts Newtonian laws for high speeds and gravitational fields, with general relativity governing strong gravity. Together with thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, these theories form a comprehensive description of physical motion and energy.

Methods range from analytical solutions of equations of motion to numerical simulations. Computational tools such as finite element analysis (FEM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and molecular dynamics enable complex, real-world modelling. Experimental techniques validate models and calibrate parameters.

History spans from ancient inquiry to Newtonian formulations and the later development of quantum and relativistic theories. Mechanik underpins much of engineering, technology, and science, providing the foundation for designing machines, analyzing materials, and understanding natural phenomena.