Mechanics is the study of forces and how things move. Classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, study mechanics.
It takes a singular verb as a field: mechanics is difficult. Classical mechanics is Newton's, and it is accurate for everything except the very small, the very fast and the very heavy, where quantum mechanics and relativity take over. The other sense is the practical details of how something works: the mechanics of the deal, the mechanics of the sentence. Note mechanic, the person; and mechanical.
1nounmechanicsThe study of forces and how things move.
“In physics class, we're studying mechanics, including speed, friction and gravity.”
2nounpracticalThe practical details of how something works.
“Nobody had worked out the mechanics of the whole arrangement.”
mechanics is a field of study, or workings.
Greek mekhanikos means ingenious, from mekhane, a contrivance — the same root as machine. The study of motion is named after clever devices rather than after motion itself.
Latin
mēchanicus
English, today
mechanics
Built from
Borrowed from Latin mēchanicus. From Latin mēchanicus, from Ancient Greek μηχανικός, from μηχανή (“machine, tool”).
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in School Subjects