Mechanical engineering Definition and 545 Threads

I am a high school senior caught between these two fields. they both seem very exciting and I am not sure which would be better suited for my interests. In high school, my favorite subjects have been Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science. I am interested in working to develop: -more...

I'm an international student and I'm going to attend a U.S. college this fall, and in order to decide which college I should pick, I have to make my decision whether or not I would like to major in engineering because the college that I want to attend doesn't have engineering, while the other...

I'm 19 and I have a passion for cars. I'm thinking about pursuing a mechanical engineering degree & possibly creating a company in the future. There's one problem though; I didn't take algebra 2 or any maths after that (I had consumer math in hs). Is the math in mechanical engineering advanced...

Hi, is it logicial to get a masters in mechanical engineering after a bachelor of nuclear engineering ? is that going to give more options when it comes to applying for jobs ? expanding opportunities ?

So I did this lab on momentum on jets and the theory is that "a force is applied on the plate due to change of momentum" the jet both impacted on a flat plate and on a hemispherical plate; now i understand that the greater the angle of deflection of the water jet, the greater the change of...

I'm a 21 year old college student studying mechanical engineering. I currently live in South Carolina and I'm looking at other states to move to after graduation. I was wondering what are some good states/cities to go to for mechanical engineering?

I have been accepted to the UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering for Mechanical Engineering in Fall 2017. I'll be starting as a sophomore because I have finished all my general education requirements. However, I am not entirely sure I want to stick to MechE. I have been considering Chemical...

Hello! I'm a Mechanical Engineering major considering a minor in Applied Physics; however, there are so many choices and I like all of them. I was hoping someone could give me some feedback. Perhaps, what physics courses are most relevant for a Mechanical Engineer. In my university, New Jersey...

Hello all, This is my first post here. I will be transferring to University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC) in the fall with two associates degrees in Art and Science. I was accepted into the School of Mechanical Engineering. My original plan was to finish my undergrad, then go to grad...

The project I'm building involves a 12 V electric motor connected to a spindle lifting a 20kg weight. The radius of the spindle is 2cm, so the torque applied by the weight is 0,02m*20kg*9,8m/s^2, which gives me 3,92N*m. So, my 12 V motor needs to deliver 3,92N*m just to keep the weight steady...

So I was talking to one of my friends who is a huge programmer, and he said that you don't even need a computer science degree to work in software. He said that companies would rather teach a mechanical engineer how to program, than a computer science grad how to problem solve, and that out of...

Where can I learn some basic mechanical engineering, I am thinking of applying for a course on ME and I wanted to know what I am getting into, is there a online course that you guys recommend?. I have a some physics knowledge with basic dynamics but nothing differential. and maths up to basic...

I'm a final year high school student trying to figure out what he wants to study in university. I have decided on an applied math double major with one of the above. My dilemma is between deciding to purse the passion I have for theoretical/ pure physics or an applied science as I would really...

I am a high school senior debating between these two majors. In high school, I enjoyed both Mechanics and E&M very much so its really tough for me to decide which of the two engineering fields I'll like more. Whichever field I pick, I am also planning to minor or double in Physics and Computer...

Hello Dears I am Mechanical Engineering Technology and I am thinking to get Master degree in Nuclear Engineering/ Nuclear Mechanical Engineering. So, is it possible to do that and in which university? Thank you

Which is better? To study dynamics through physics or through mechanical engineering? What is the difference really? A book from MIT OCW classical mechanics 2 : Florian, Scheck. Mechanics: From Newton’s Laws to Deterministic Chaos. 3rd ed. https://www.amazon.com/dp/3540655581/?tag=pfamazon01-20...

Hello PF friends, My name is Visakhan,and I'm presently pursuing my BE in Mechanical Engineering in India. 3/4 way through the course now,But I feel unsatisfied with my grasp of mathematics and programming. I scored marks and passed the examinations,but i don't get that feeling of satisfaction...

So, I am new to here and I am currently a technician that does vacuum systems for the semiconductor industry (mainly Electrical). I came across something today that has me quite perplexed. So We have this system that flows gas through 1/4" stainless tubing to a pump to dilute gasses and...

A few years ago, I graduated from Wheaton College with a B.S. in Mathematics; my objective is to be a mathematician in engineering that helps mechanical engineers with their mathematical/statistical modeling. Since I graduated, I have been looking for internships in Chicago: Unfortunately, I...

Can you help me what can be the science contribution in mechanical engineering in the Research field robotics and automation?

Hi everyone, I have a cylindrical column under a concentric axial load. The load which is applied in the column is less than the critical buckling force (according to Euler´s formula). Due to this load, the column suffers a displacement (buckling effect), and I would like to determine which is...

I was wondering all the assumptions I need to make regarding a design for a heat exchanger and cooling tower design from a IC engine testbed. Each engines average output is 55kW and the water jacket temperature is 80 degrees (C) and has to be cooled to 65 degrees (C). The ambient atmospheric...

Is it true that some mechanical systems( or machines or mechanisms) of problems and exercises of Mechanical Engineering books(engineering dynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid dynamics...) are invented ? That is, they don't exist in real life, they are created only for a particular problem or...

Hello all, First off i have no experience nor knowledge in engineering whatsoever but have always had a knack for things of its nature. Currently I am a chef of over 10 years lol I would like to know what I would be getting into if I do pursue this career path, considering most of my family on...

Hi, people of PF I'm trying to decide between concentrating on continuum mechanics or design/manufacturing for my master's degree. My goal is to ultimately work in the industry, so design/manufacturing seems to make a lot of sense. However at the same time, continuum mechanics (and physics in...

Thermodynamics (Yunus Cengel Michael Boles , 8) I'm taking Thermodynamics right now at my community college and if you saw my last post about my physics teacher, you know I have the right to be paranoid about not learning enough in my classes. I've always heard Thermo for mechanical engineers...

Hello PF. I apologize if this is in the wrong forum board, I thought this post would be relevant since it has to do with MechEng. Feel free to move the thread to the correct spot if it is in the inappropriate section. Anyways, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. Basically, I have an unconditional offer...

At the university I'm planning on transferring to in a year I pretty much have to take a bunch of technical electives which can come from any STEM department. For example, I could take a bunch of theoretical physics classes that will count towards my degree or I can take more ME classes that...

So I've been perusing this associates in ME for the past year and I have one year left until I'm finished. I was thinking about continuing my education in ME at a university but I just recently found an interest in computer science. I've always liked computers, I even programmed a little when I...

If a rod is in compression, will the minimum area on rod ( the section where there is a hole for pin) stress free? What if the rod is in tension? The rod BC is in compression and the boom AB is in tension? http://imgur.com/a/6asfB

I'm aware that a huge percentage of engineers (especially mechanical engineers) end up working in positions that require almost none of the knowledge they acquired during undergrad. I know that college isn't work, but I'm interested in pursuing a career that, at least, requires me to use some of...

Hi all! I'm an undergrad sophomore in engineering trying to decide on which major to pursue (namely civil/mechanical). Recently I came across this fascinating piece of publication, which contained a massive amount of data regarding engineering enrollments by major, demographic, and school...

Hi There, I am trying to understand if I have a vacuum in the below scenario or simply just really low pressure. A pump supplies a pipe with a constant supply of water at one end (Point A) the water discharges several kilometers away at some lower elevation (Point B). At "Point A" a valve...

im a senior high school student from India have about 3 days in hand having difficulty in deciding between the two careers. I am planning to peruse undergraduate in USA but in a big confusion Can someone put a clear image about these two branches of engineering as i am unclear about their job...

Hey guys :) So I'm looking to form equations that I can apply a Laplace transformation to. The mechanism specifically is a trailer jack - it converts rotational motion to linear motion. And its high torque provides a mechanical advantage to lifting heaving loads. Can anyone help me form...

From what I understand, there are some industries in Mechanical Engineering that are typically boom/bust (like oil and gas and aerospace). I wonder which ones are the most stable? I think HVAC is a possibility, but I don't know if it's the kind of thing that I would like to work on for my entire...

I'm a Mechanical Engineering student intending to pursue a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering after college, and Machine Design is one of the disciplines I'm going to take next year. I understand the importance of various topics in mechanical engineering to an aircraft project (topics...

I would like to hear the Mechanical Engineers on the forum, and discover some careers hat a MechE could follow. I would like to know what is your job like (on what field do you work: fluids, structures, thermo, controls..., which kind of company, is your job more technical or management, if it's...

I know that aerospace engineering is a branch of mechanical engineering, and as a student of mechanical engineering myself, I'm curious to know what kind of knowledge a MechE coming out of a Bachelor's Degree should have if he wants to start working with aircraft (or pursuing a Master's Degree...

I know that robotics is a multidisciplinary field, requiring knowledge from many different fields of study. But I would like to know what would be the better path for a engineering seeking to work with robotics: it's mechanical or electrical engineering? I'm a student of MechE myself, and I have...

I'm a student of Mechanical Engineering and I've been taking classes on Control Theory. Looks like a cool and very interesting field of study, but it seems to be more inclined towards Electrical Engineering (in fact, looks like most jobs on control go to electrical engineers). I wonder how a...

I'm a Mechanical Engineering student at the 4th semester, and I've been thinking about what specializations I should pursue after I get my bachelor's degree. I've always find mechatronics (control and automation) to be quite fun. I've developed some projects using Arduino and studied a little...

I am interested in conducting a research project involving the design of a tool to aid astronauts to perform experiments on lunar surfaces (for the NASA Micro-g NExT student challenge), but I do not know appropriate key words or questions to ask to begin my research. The specific scenario of...

A lot of people say "I hate math but I like engineering". For me, it's the opposite. I like math & I love learning. I like science & I love astronomy. I'm an 18 year old senior, so I have to choose my path. I'm thinking about going to school for mechanical engineering. I have a passion for cars...

Hello, I have a friend and she is very troubled. She is studying mechanical engineering in Turkey's top 10 to 15th university. She wants to change her school but she needs to study for the university exams again which steals one year of her life. She believes that graduating from her school...

I want to be able to build or find a mechanical device that can apply very low force/pressure to a material. I have considered using a stepping motor with a flat needle tip but I can't think of a way to make this delicate enough to not destroy my sample. I am wanting to apply forces in the range...

I'm at my second year of mechanical engineering, and I do like all the theoretical stuff I'm learning (calculus, linear algebra, physics). But the problem is: when it comes down to actually build something, I find much more interesting to assemble and solder circuits than building something...

I would love to learn math and become a great mechanical / aerospace engineer, but there is one huge problem! I dropped my math classes in the 10th grade because I was an idiot. Years ago I didn't want to learn math, I hated it but now I love learning. I love challenges, learning is truly my...

How hard would it be to make this transition? It seems to me that the engineering classes I would take in my associates would make a few classes in my bachelors very easy.

I'm now at my sophomore year in college, studying Mechanical Engineering. When I chose this field, I was interested in things like aircrafts and my main goal was working in the aerospace industry. This interest has shifted towards control systems/robotics since then. I started dealing with...