Mekaniikat

Mekaniikat is the branch of science that studies the motion of bodies and the forces that cause or oppose that motion. It provides a framework for understanding how objects respond to pushes and pulls, how energy is transformed, and how systems conserve momentum.

Historically, the foundations were laid in ancient times, but the subject was formalized by Isaac Newton in the 17th century. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, mechanics expanded to include quantum mechanics and relativistic mechanics, while continuum mechanics and statistical mechanics broadened its scope to materials, fluids, and ensembles.

Main subfields include classical mechanics (statics, dynamics, kinematics, rotational and vibrational motion), quantum mechanics, relativistic mechanics, and continuum mechanics (solid mechanics and fluid mechanics). Statistical mechanics links microscopic states to macroscopic properties, while applied mechanics focuses on engineering problems.

Methods and tools include analytical techniques, variational principles, and computational models. Differential equations describe motions and forces; numerical methods such as finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) enable simulations of complex systems.

Applications span the design and analysis of machines, structures, vehicles, and aerospace systems; biomechanics, robotics, and energy systems rely on mekaniikat to predict performance, optimize safety, and improve efficiency.

Education in mekaniikat is common in physics and engineering programs, with research areas ranging from material behavior and fluid-structure interaction to quantum systems and computational modeling.