Which Engineering Field Best Models Physical Systems: Electrical or Mechanical?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the comparative effectiveness of Electrical Engineering versus Mechanical Engineering in modeling physical systems. Participants highlight that Mechanical Engineering often utilizes ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and partial differential equations (PDEs) more extensively than Electrical Engineering. Both fields employ Finite Element Method (FEM) and Finite Difference Method (FDM) for problem-solving. Ultimately, the choice between the two disciplines depends on personal interests and the specific types of models one wishes to create.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs)
  • Familiarity with Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Knowledge of Finite Element Method (FEM)
  • Basic concepts of Finite Difference Method (FDM)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the applications of Ordinary Differential Equations in Mechanical Engineering
  • Explore the use of Partial Differential Equations in Electrical Engineering
  • Learn about Finite Element Method (FEM) software tools like ANSYS or COMSOL
  • Investigate the differences between modeling in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in engineering fields, particularly those interested in modeling physical systems, as well as educators and career advisors guiding students in their engineering discipline choices.

Lacero
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
I am aware of the very valuable analysis skills physics teaches. A physics major may not be possible for me so with your experience with physics or electrical engineering, would you say you learn how to model physical systems better with electrical engineering or with mechanical engineering? It seems mechancial uses ode's and pde's more than electrical.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I meant to say, mathematical and scientific modelling.
 
I think it's a wise choice to go into modelling, it's the cooler jobs, or so I've heard from alumni. The guys that do the modelling are the real brainiacs. And I think that it's really tough and also rewarding.

Both in mechanical and electrical you have a lot of modelling and solveing problems with FEM and (the less used?) FDM.

It really boils down to what you really really want to do and what you want to model.
 
Mechanical engineering has more real life things you can see and visualize when you are modeling. Electrical on the other hand deals with a few abstract ideas and principles that are not as straight forward. I think either would be sufficient for scientific modeling but just differ in the types or how abstract.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
925
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K