mechanics

3 definitions found

mechanics - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mechanics \Me*chan"ics\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]canique.]
     That science, or branch of applied mathematics, which treats
     of the action of forces on bodies.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: That part of mechanics which considers the action of
           forces in producing rest or equilibrium is called
           statics; that which relates to such action in
           producing motion is called dynamics. The term
           mechanics includes the action of forces on all bodies,
           whether solid, liquid, or gaseous. It is sometimes,
           however, and formerly was often, used distinctively of
           solid bodies only: The mechanics of liquid bodies is
           called also hydrostatics, or hydrodynamics,
           according as the laws of rest or of motion are
           considered. The mechanics of gaseous bodies is called
           also pneumatics. The mechanics of fluids in motion,
           with special reference to the methods of obtaining from
           them useful results, constitutes hydraulics.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Animal mechanics (Physiol.), that portion of physiology
        which has for its object the investigation of the laws of
        equilibrium and motion in the animal body. The most
        important mechanical principle is that of the lever, the
        bones forming the arms of the levers, the contractile
        muscles the power, the joints the fulcra or points of
        support, while the weight of the body or of the individual
        limbs constitutes the weight or resistance.
  
     Applied mechanics, the principles of abstract mechanics
        applied to human art; also, the practical application of
        the laws of matter and motion to the construction of
        machines and structures of all kinds.
  
     orbital mechanics, the principles governing the motion of
        bodies in orbit around other bodies under gravitational
        influence, such as artificial Earth satellites.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]

mechanics - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  mechanics
      n 1: the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies
           in a frame of reference
      2: the technical aspects of doing something; "a mechanism of
         social control"; "mechanisms of communication"; "the
         mechanics of prose style" [syn: mechanism, mechanics]

mechanics - Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 :

  53 Moby Thesaurus words for "mechanics":
     Newtonian physics, acoustics, aerophysics, applied physics, art,
     astrophysics, basic conductor physics, biophysics,
     chemical physics, craft, cryogenics, crystallography, cytophysics,
     electron physics, electronics, electrophysics, geophysics,
     macrophysics, mathematical physics, mechanism, medicophysics,
     method, microphysics, natural philosophy, natural science,
     nuclear physics, optics, philosophy, physic, physical chemistry,
     physical science, physicochemistry, physicomathematics, physics,
     psychophysics, radiation physics, radionics, science, skill,
     solar physics, solid-state physics, statics, stereophysics,
     technic, technical know-how, technical knowledge, technical skill,
     technics, technique, technology, theoretical physics,
     thermodynamics, zoophysics