Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Mechanics is the science concerned with the motion of bodies under the action of forces. It is divided into statics (forces on bodies at rest), kinematics (describing possible motions), and kinetics (explaining or predicting motion).1

Power sources can be natural, like wind or water, or derived from fuels like coal and petroleum. These are converted into mechanical energy by prime movers such as turbines or engines. Mechanical energy can then be transformed into electricity by generators.23

Transmissions adapt a power source to a specific application, often by changing rotary speed. Hydraulic power systems use pressurized fluid to transmit power, offering flexibility and high power output for their size.45

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.