---
title: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
description: This introductory subject covers the fundamental principles of forces, energy, motion, and materials. Learners will understand how these concepts apply to the design, analysis, and manufacturing of physical devices and mechanical systems.
category: engineering
subcategory: mechanical-engineering
difficulty: beginner, intermediate, advanced
url: /subject/introduction-to-mechanical-engineering
---

# Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

This introductory subject covers the fundamental principles of forces, energy, motion, and materials. Learners will understand how these concepts apply to the design, analysis, and manufacturing of physical devices and mechanical systems.

## Available Resources

2 Books • 1 Courses • 3 Websites

## Podcasts

### 1. The Engineering Commons

**Author:** The Engineering Commons Podcast

Join engineers Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff as they discuss issues of importance to today's engineering professional. Guest engineers frequently provide insights based on their real-life experiences.

**Difficulty:** Beginner | **Language:** en-US | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://theengineeringcommons.com

**Tags:** engineering-careers, engineering-practice, interviews, professional-development

## Books

### 1. An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

**Author:** Jonathan Wickert

Covers the core subject areas of a mechanical engineering curriculum: statics, materials, fluids, thermodynamics, motion and machines, so readers can see how the discipline's branches connect before taking specialized courses.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/1111576807?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, engineering-manufacturing, mechanical-engineering

### 2. To Engineer is Human

**Author:** Henry Petroski

Petroski examines structural failures such as the Tacoma Narrows bridge and the Hyatt Regency walkway to argue that engineering advances through error. Readers finish understanding why design is inseparable from anticipating how things break.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/0679734163?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, engineering-manufacturing, mechanical-engineering

## Websites

### 1. asme.org

ASME.org is the official site of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, providing standards, publications, courses, and professional resources for mechanical engineers. It covers core topics such as design, manufacturing, thermodynamics, fluids, and materials with articles, webinars, events, and career guidance.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://asme.org

**Tags:** websites, engineering-manufacturing, mechanical-engineering

### 2. imeche.org

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is the UK's professional body for mechanical engineers. The site provides learning resources, industry news and standards, publications and journals, CPD and career resources, events, and student materials to support education and professional development.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://imeche.org

**Tags:** websites, engineering-manufacturing, mechanical-engineering

### 3. tryengineering.org

TryEngineering.org is an educational portal that introduces engineering and helps students explore different disciplines, including civil, with clear explanations of what engineers do. It features career profiles, interactive activities, and classroom resources to foster hands-on learning about engineering concepts.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://tryengineering.org

**Tags:** websites, engineering-manufacturing, civil-engineering

## Courses

### 1. Introduction to Engineering Mechanics

**Author:** Wayne Whiteman

Georgia Tech's first course in engineering statics, covering force vectors, particle equilibrium, moments and couples, equivalent force systems, centroids and free-body diagrams. Afterwards learners can resolve forces in two and three dimensions and write equilibrium equations for rigid bodies.

**Difficulty:** Beginner | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://www.coursera.org/learn/engineering-mechanics-statics

**Tags:** engineering-statics, force-vectors, moments, free-body-diagrams, static-equilibrium

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