Mekaniikassa

Mekaniikassa, commonly translated as mechanics, is a branch of physics that investigates the motion of bodies and the forces that cause or influence that motion. It encompasses both macroscopic systems, such as engines and machines, and microscopic systems, such as particles and fields, using mathematical models to predict behavior.

It is traditionally divided into kinematics, which describes motion without regard to causes; dynamics, which analyzes how forces produce motion; statics, which studies systems at rest or in equilibrium; and continuum mechanics, which treats solids and fluids as continuous media. The core framework rests on Newton's laws, energy concepts, and conservation laws for momentum and angular momentum.

Historically, elements of mechanistic thinking appear in ancient Greece, advanced by Galileo's experiments, and culminated in Newton's laws. Later formalisms—Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics—reformulated dynamics for efficiency and generality. The 20th century broadened the scope with quantum mechanics and relativistic mechanics, integrating it with quantum theory and general relativity.

Modern mechanics includes classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, relativistic mechanics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and continuum mechanics. It relies on analytical methods, differential equations, variational principles, and numerical simulations. It underpins engineering, aerospace, robotics, biomechanics, materials science, and many fields where motion, stability, and forces are central.