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Mechanical engineering
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{{short description|Engineering discipline}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} [[File:Mechanical components.png|thumb| Various [[machine element|machine components]] used in mechanical engineering]] '''Mechanical engineering''' is the study of physical [[machine]]s and [[mechanism (engineering)|mechanism]]s that may involve [[force]] and movement. It is an [[engineering branch]] that combines [[engineering physics]] and [[engineering mathematics|mathematics]] principles with [[materials science]], to [[design]], analyze, manufacture, and maintain [[mechanical system]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://me.columbia.edu/what-mechanical-engineering |title= What is Mechanical Engineering?|date= 28 December 2018}}</ref> It is one of the oldest and broadest of the [[List of engineering branches|engineering branches]]. Mechanical engineering requires an understanding of core areas including [[mechanics]], [[Analytical dynamics|dynamics]], [[thermodynamics]], [[materials science]], [[design]], [[structural analysis]], and [[electricity]]. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as [[computer-aided design]] (CAD), [[computer-aided manufacturing]] (CAM), [[computer-aided engineering]] (CAE), and [[product lifecycle management]] to design and analyze [[manufacturing plants]], [[industrial equipment]] and [[industrial machinery|machinery]], [[HVAC|heating and cooling systems]], [[transport]] systems, [[motor vehicle]]s, [[aircraft]], [[watercraft]], [[robotics]], [[medical devices]], [[weapons]], and others.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mechanical%20engineering |title=mechanical engineering |dictionary=The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language |edition=Fourth |access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanical%20engineering |title=mechanical engineering |dictionary=[[Merriam-Webster]] Dictionary |access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref> Mechanical engineering emerged as a field during the [[Industrial Revolution]] in Europe in the 18th century; however, its development can be traced back several thousand years around the world. In the 19th century, developments in [[physics]] led to the development of mechanical engineering science. The field has continually evolved to incorporate advancements; today mechanical engineers are pursuing developments in such areas as [[composite material|composites]], [[mechatronics]], and [[nanotechnology]]. It also overlaps with [[aerospace engineering]], [[metallurgical engineering]], [[civil engineering]], [[structural engineering]], [[electrical engineering]], [[manufacturing engineering]], [[chemical engineering]], [[industrial engineering]], and other engineering disciplines to varying amounts. Mechanical engineers may also work in the field of [[biomedical engineering]], specifically with [[biomechanics]], [[transport phenomena]], [[biomechatronics]], [[bionanotechnology]], and modelling of biological systems.
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