Fracture mechanics

Fracture mechanics is like a game with rules. It's the science of figuring out how cracks form and spread in things like metal or plastic. It helps us understand why things break when they get too much stress. To do this, scientists measure things like the size and shape of the crack, the speed and direction it moves, and the amount of force needed to make it happen. They use this information to predict when a material might fail (break apart), so that engineers can design things properly and make sure they won't fail.