| Continuum Mechanics |
Article Index for Continuum |
Website Links For Continuum |
Information AboutContinuum Mechanics |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT CONTINUUM MECHANICS | |
| continuum mechanicscontinuum mechanics | |
| classical mechanics | |
| materials science | |
| structural engineering | |
| mechanical engineering | |
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The fact that matter is made of Atom s and that it commonly has some sort of heterogeneous ''microstructure'' is ignored in the simplifying approximation that physical quantities, such as Energy and Momentum , can be handled in the Infinitesimal Limit . Differential Equation s can thus be employed in solving problems in continuum mechanics. Some of these differential equations are specific to the materials being investigated and are called Constitutive Equations , while others capture fundamental Physical Law s, such as Conservation Of Mass or Conservation Of Momentum . In Fluid s, the Knudsen Number is used to assess to what extent the approximation of continuity can be made. The Physical Law s of solids and fluids do not depend on the Coordinate System in which they are observed. Continuum mechanics thus uses Tensor s, which are mathematical objects that are independent of coordinate system. These tensors can be expressed in coordinate systems, for computational convenience. SEE ALSO |
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