What are the Limitations of Continuum Mechanics at the Nanoscale?
One of the primary limitations of continuum mechanics at the nanoscale is that it assumes materials are homogeneous and continuous, which is not always the case at the atomic level. Atomic-scale effects, such as quantum confinement, surface tension, and discrete atomic interactions, can significantly impact the behavior of nano-materials. Therefore, continuum mechanics must often be supplemented with other techniques that can account for these atomic-scale phenomena.
