# mechanical systems Definition and Topics - 5 Discussions

A machine is a human-made device that uses power to apply forces and control movement to perform an action. Machines can be driven by animals and people, by natural forces such as wind and water, and by chemical, thermal, or electrical power, and include a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement. They can also include computers and sensors that monitor performance and plan movement, often called mechanical systems.
Renaissance natural philosophers identified six simple machines which were the elementary devices that put a load into motion, and calculated the ratio of output force to input force, known today as mechanical advantage.Modern machines are complex systems that consist of structural elements, mechanisms and control components and include interfaces for convenient use. Examples include: a wide range of vehicles, such as automobiles, boats and airplanes; appliances in the home and office, including computers, building air handling and water handling systems; as well as farm machinery, machine tools and factory automation systems and robots.

View More On Wikipedia.org
1. ### System of two particles: Prove motion along connecting line

Homework Statement Given an isolated system of 2 particles in space, we can express the motion of both particles as follows: $$m_1\ddot{\vec{x_1}}=-\frac\partial{\partial \vec{x_{1}}} V(\vec{x_1},\vec{x_2})\\ m_2\ddot{\vec{x_2}}=-\frac\partial{\partial \vec{x_2}} V(\vec{x_1},\vec{x_2}),$$ where...
2. ### Mass-spring-damper system "shock absorber"

Homework Statement Find equations of motion for mechanical system given by picture, where m = 1kg, k1 = 10, k2 = 25, b = 3 and natural lengths of springs are a1 = 1m, a2 = 2m. The whole system is in a gravitational field g = 9.81m/s^2 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I came up...
3. ### Approach for determining jerk in a mechanical system

Hello all, I require your expertise on building an approach or a framework to identify and measure the jerk or vibration in a mechanical system with a slider. What I have is a slider (S) with a vertical link (L1) attached to it and another horizontal link (L2) attached at the tip of the link...
4. ### Help with spring stiffness calculation (k)

Hi I was given the following problem in my coursework: Homework Statement "A spring is initially compressed by 50mm when a steel ball of mass 2kg is released from just being in contact with the uncompressed spring. Determine the spring stiffness (k) of the spring." Homework Equations F = mg...
5. ### Homogenous Solution Represents the Transient Response Right?

CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS: -Does the Homogenous Solution represent the Transient Response? Let me specify. For a N-DOF spring, mass, and damper mechanical system: -Does the Homogenous Solution represent the Transient Response for given mechanical system? MY ANSWER: Yes. ASSUMPTIONS: -only...