In this blog post, we will explore why two different fields, mechanical engineering and aeronautical engineering, are combined into a single academic discipline based on the common principle of “mechanics.”
What comes to mind when you hear the name ‘Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’? Generally, people associate the word ‘mechanical’ with robots or automobiles, and ‘aerospace’ with airplanes or rockets. It is difficult to find any common images between cars and airplanes, except that they are both means of transportation. As such, there are few similarities between the two departments. Therefore, when people hear the name “Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,” they tend to think of either “Mechanical Engineering” or “Aerospace Engineering.” The reason why two departments that seem to have nothing in common are combined into one department is probably because they have a significant commonality that differs from the general perception.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is written as “Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering” in English. As you can see, the name indicates that it consists of two academic fields: mechanical and aerospace. Mechanical Engineering is written as “Mechanical Engineering” in English. It is easy to think that mechanical engineering is where you learn how to make things like robots. However, if you look a little closer at the words “mechanical” and “engineering,” you can see that it is not a place where you learn how to make things, but rather a place where you learn the principles of motion that enable things like robots to move. These principles of motion are not just simple movements, but also include things such as the flow of energy and heat.
Aerospace engineering is written as “Aerospace Engineering” in English. The word “aerospace” mainly brings to mind aircraft. However, “aerospace” can be thought of as a combination of the two words “aero” and “space.” These two words imply air and space (or space). Looking at these words, aerospace engineering can be thought of as the study of air and the exploration of space.
The reason why mechanical engineering, which deals with the principles of motion, and aerospace engineering, which deals with air and space, are combined into one department can be understood by looking at the curriculum. The biggest difference between mechanical aerospace engineering and other engineering fields, such as chemical engineering, biotechnology, materials engineering, and architectural engineering, is mechanics. Mechanics is generally classified into four major categories. These are thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, and dynamics. Students can choose which of these four types of mechanics to study, but all students in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering must study all four.
The Chinese character for mechanics is “力学,” which means “the study of force.” In English, it is written as “mechanics.” This word has the same root as “mechanical” in mechanical engineering, which suggests that mechanics is the study of the principles of motion. Thermodynamics is the study of how heat is generated and transferred. Fluid mechanics is the study of how flowing fluids (liquids) flow under certain conditions and the effects of this flow. Solid mechanics is the study of how forces act on solids in ways that are invisible to the naked eye, including how forces are distributed within objects, the extent of deformation, and when destruction occurs. Dynamics is the study of how objects move when they are connected to each other.
The English name “mechanics” suggests that it is closely related to mechanical engineering. It is not easy to find a connection between aviation, which involves learning about air and space, and mechanics. However, the following examples show that aeronautical engineering is also closely related to mechanics.
Cars and airplanes are representative examples of machines and aviation, respectively. Let’s look at how mechanics is applied to each of these two examples. Both cars and airplanes can move. Cars and airplanes have engines as their power source to move. These engines utilize the property of expanding when heated. Since they use heat, they are closely related to thermodynamics.
We said that engines utilize the property of expanding when heated, and the substance that expands is air, which is a fluid. The efficiency of an engine varies depending on how air flows in the engine, and this is dealt with in fluid mechanics. In addition to engines, airplanes and cars move at high speeds, at which point they encounter a lot of air resistance. Fluid dynamics is the study of how to reduce this air resistance to make movement more efficient.
Both cars and airplanes are designed to be lightweight in order to reduce fuel consumption. However, lighter is not always better. This is because making something very light means making it thinner, which can cause safety issues. Therefore, knowledge of solid mechanics is used to ensure safety even with thinner materials, in other words, to create a structure that is both light and strong.
Finally, looking at the areas where dynamics is applied, both cars and airplanes move. In cars, and especially in airplanes, it is important to understand their precise movements during actual operation and control them. Dynamics is used to understand and control these movements. As you can see, mechanics plays a very important role in both machinery and aviation, and it is because of this commonality that the two departments were combined into one faculty.
Mechanical engineering and aeronautical engineering have different names and different focuses. However, they have something in common in that they are both based on the fundamental principles of mechanics, which is the study of the mechanisms of the properties of objects and how to utilize them. Therefore, they are taught together in the same department.
The mechanics learned in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is not just theory, but essential knowledge that is applied in various fields. For example, knowledge of mechanics in mechanical and aerospace engineering is utilized in the field of renewable energy. Fluid mechanics and solid mechanics are essential for designing wind turbines and improving their efficiency. Thermodynamics is also important in systems that utilize solar energy. In addition, mechanical and aerospace engineering is becoming increasingly important in the space industry. The principles of dynamics and mechanics are applied in the design and control of spacecraft and the calculation of satellite orbits.
In conclusion, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is a place where students learn how to apply the principles of mechanics to real-world situations. Through this study, students will develop innovative technologies in various fields and gain the ability to contribute to the technological advancement of the future. It is clear that mechanical and aerospace engineering is a field of study that goes beyond simply machines and aviation, playing an important role in solving various engineering problems and creating new technologies.
