Some Basic Principles of Mechanics as Applied to Cytology

Abstract

Mechanics is the science of forces and motions. When employed in its classical connotation, as opposed to statistical or quantum mechanics, it may be defined as that discipline which investigates the macroscopic response of systems to the action of forces and/or couples. The methods used are analytical, numerical and experimental. Systems considered may be discrete, in aggregate or continuous. The number of basic concepts involved in this science is small; the most important ones being force, mass, length, and time. The connections between these major concepts are provided by a few experimentally based postulates and assumptions. Logical deduction from these postulates and assumptions leads to quite detailed predictions of the consequences. Mechanics, the first example of a quantitative mathematical theory describing physical phenomena, began more than two millennia ago. Archimedes (287-212 B.C.) is generally considered to be one of the first mechanicians. As a science which began as the contemplation of nature, mechanics has intrigued almost all of the great scientists of all times. Among the more familiar ones, we can name the following few: Stev in(1548–1620), Gali1eo((1564–1642), Hooke(1635–1703 ), Newton(1642–1727), Eu1er(1707–1783), d’Alembert(1717–1783), Lagrange(1736–1813), Laplace(1749–1827), Einstein(1879–1955). Mechanics has been an essential component of natural philosophy ever since Newton published his “Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica” (1687). In spite of its being one of the oldest physical sciences, mechanics continues to be a lively and fascinating subject. This is due to the fact that mechanics continually expands its areas of application; a more recent one being biomechanics.