Solving Real World Problems with Mechanical Engineering
ENGINEERS IN THE REAL WORLD Engineers are people who use science and math to solve problems with products structures or processes Sometimes they help develop new products structures or processes They also fix and improve existing ones There are several kinds of engineering The main kinds are civil chemical electrical and mechanical engineering Civil engineers focus on the building of structures such as bridges Chemical engineers develop Machines can be simple like the ones here or more complicated 4
chemicals for businesses Electrical engineers focus on electric power Mechanical engineers deal with engines and machines Each of these four branches can be broken down into even more specialized types of engineering For example some electrical engineers focus on computers Some mechanical engineers work on developing and improving aircraft and spacecraft They are called aerospace engineers Aerospace engineers work on a device that will be used on a spacecraft Besides creating machines and building structures engineers may develop better methods or ways of doing things Think of a time you followed steps to make something and discovered a better way to do it Think About It 5
MACHINES MOTION AND MORE Mechanical engineering deals with everything surrounding machines This includes designing making and operating them as well as setting them up Mechanical engineering can mean anything from constructing a car engine to overseeing a power plant Mechanical engineers are also concerned with motion and the forces that affect motion A force is anything that acts on the position of an object A force may put an object into motion or it can have an effect on the speed of that motion Basically force means a push or pull Friction is one kind of These engineers help take care of machines that provide energy in a nuclear power station 6
force mechanical engineers have to think about This force stops movement between two surfaces that touch Mechanical engineers follow a process when trying to solve a problem They research as much as they can about it Then they design a possible solution and develop it Next they test the solution and perfect it They may redesign the solution if it does not solve the problem As this drawing shows the force of the horse’s pull puts the cart into motion Mechanical engineers often have to deal with the force of friction How is this different from a force like gravity How might these forces affect an object Compare and Contrast 7
