Mechanical Comprehension

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1.

A valve is used to perform which of the following functions?
- A.
  
  Increase the temperature of a gas
- B.
  
  Aid evaporation of a liquid
- C.
  
  Control the flow of a liquid
- D.
  
  Decrease the density of a gas
Correct Answer
C. Control the flow of a liquid

Explanation
Valves are placed in piping systems and can be opened or closed in order to control the flow of liquids or gasses.

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2.

Which term below describes the opposite of an increase in speed?
- A.
  
  Velocity
- B.
  
  Deceleration
- C.
  
  Acceleration
- D.
  
  Rotation
Correct Answer
B. Deceleration

Explanation
Deceleration means slowing down.

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3.

Which principle of mechanical motion is used in the design of a roller coaster?
- A.
  
  Momentum
- B.
  
  Friction
- C.
  
  Acceleration
- D.
  
  All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the above

Explanation
Acceleration must be considered in designing the maximum rise of the first hill. Momentum must be considered to ensure the train gets back to the starting point, since it has no motor. Friction must be considered in the design of the braking system.

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4.

A block of steel has a density of 0.29 pounds per cubic inch. If the block has dimensions of 1 inch by 1 inch by 3 inches, what is the weight?
- A.
  
  0.29 pounds
- B.
  
  0.36 pounds
- C.
  
  0.87 pounds
- D.
  
  0.99 pounds
Correct Answer
C. 0.87 pounds

Explanation
The volume of the block can be calculated by multiplying its length by its width by its height, or 1 times 1 times 3, which equals 2 cubic inches. The weight is the density multiplied by its volume, which is 3 cubic inches multiplied by 0.29 pounds per cubic inch, which equals 0.87 pounds.

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5.

Which mechanical components are typically used between a wheel and an axle to reduce friction?
- A.
  
  Springs
- B.
  
  Bearings
- C.
  
  Hinges
- D.
  
  Levers
Correct Answer
B. Bearings

Explanation
A set of bearings is typically a set of small metal balls packed in a groove and lubricated with grease or oil. The wheel rubs against one side of each ball, and the axle rubs against the other side. The net effect is that the wheel rolls much more easily.

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6.

What is a hoist used for?
- A.
  
  Lift objects
- B.
  
  Cut metals
- C.
  
  Cut wood
- D.
  
  Crunch metal
Correct Answer
A. Lift objects
7.

A wrench uses which simple machine to turn a bolt?
- A.
  
  Pulley
- B.
  
  Hoist
- C.
  
  Wheel and axle
- D.
  
  Lever
Correct Answer
C. Wheel and axle
8.

What will a bar of steel do if it is heated at high temperatures?
- A.
  
  Contract
- B.
  
  Expand
- C.
  
  Bend
- D.
  
  Harden
Correct Answer
B. Expand
9.

If a train moves at 70 MPH and travels for 90 minutes, how many miles does it travel?
- A.
  
  105 miles
- B.
  
  105 miles
- C.
  
  109 miles
- D.
  
  630 miles
Correct Answer
B. 105 miles
10.

Water is flowing into a tank through pipe A at 6 gallons per minute and through pipe B at 7 gallons per minute. The water is flowing out of the tank through pipe C at 8 gallons per minute. How much more water will be in the tank at the end of 5 minutes.
- A.
  
  15 gallons
- B.
  
  25 gallons
- C.
  
  32 gallons
- D.
  
  50 gallons
Correct Answer
A. 15 gallons
11.

To lift a 600 pound piano, Tom and Jerry decide to use a plank placed under one end of the piano. The plank is 3 feet long. If a fulcrum is placed under the plank, one foot away from the piano, how much force must be applied to the plank to lift the piano?
- A.
  
  100 pounds
- B.
  
  125 pounds
- C.
  
  140 pounds
- D.
  
  150 pounds
Correct Answer
D. 150 pounds
12.

A garden hose is used to siphon the water out of an above-ground swimming pool. What makes the water flow out of the pool and through the garden hose?
- A.
  
  Weight of the water
- B.
  
  Water pressure
- C.
  
  Air pressure
- D.
  
  Air and water pressure in combination
Correct Answer
C. Air pressure
13.

Which action describes a clock pendulum swaying back and forth?
- A.
  
  Gravity
- B.
  
  Periodic motion
- C.
  
  Acceleration
- D.
  
  Velocity
Correct Answer
B. Periodic motion
14.

A wrench is used to turn a bolt that has 20 threads per inch. After 15 complete turns of the wrench, the bolt will have moved:
- A.
  
  1/8 inch
- B.
  
  1/4 inch
- C.
  
  3/4 inch
- D.
  
  2/3 inch
Correct Answer
C. 3/4 inch
15.

Water is flowing into a tank at the rate of 180 gallons per minute. However, the tank has a leak, and water is leaking out at the rate of 2 gallons per second. How long will it take to add 120 gallons?
- A.
  
  1 minute
- B.
  
  2 minutes
- C.
  
  3 minutes
- D.
  
  4 minutes
Correct Answer
B. 2 minutes

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Current Version
Mar 21, 2022

Quiz Edited by
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Jan 08, 2015

Quiz Created by

Mechanical Comprehension

A valve is used to perform which of the following functions?

Which term below describes the opposite of an increase in speed?

Which principle of mechanical motion is used in the design of a roller coaster?

A block of steel has a density of 0.29 pounds per cubic inch. If the block has dimensions of 1 inch by 1 inch by 3 inches, what is the weight?

Which mechanical components are typically used between a wheel and an axle to reduce friction?

What is a hoist used for?

A wrench uses which simple machine to turn a bolt?

What will a bar of steel do if it is heated at high temperatures?

If a train moves at 70 MPH and travels for 90 minutes, how many miles does it travel?

Water is flowing into a tank through pipe A at 6 gallons per minute and through pipe B at 7 gallons per minute. The water is flowing out of the tank through pipe C at 8 gallons per minute. How much more water will be in the tank at the end of 5 minutes.

To lift a 600 pound piano, Tom and Jerry decide to use a plank placed under one end of the piano. The plank is 3 feet long. If a fulcrum is placed under the plank, one foot away from the piano, how much force must be applied to the plank to lift the piano?

A garden hose is used to siphon the water out of an above-ground swimming pool. What makes the water flow out of the pool and through the garden hose?

Which action describes a clock pendulum swaying back and forth?

A wrench is used to turn a bolt that has 20 threads per inch. After 15 complete turns of the wrench, the bolt will have moved:

Water is flowing into a tank at the rate of 180 gallons per minute. However, the tank has a leak, and water is leaking out at the rate of 2 gallons per second. How long will it take to add 120 gallons?