ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Principles Flashcards
6 cards from real ASVAB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension Principles flashcards as text
What type of lever has the fulcrum between the effort and the load?
Answer: First-class lever
A first-class lever has the fulcrum between the effort (input force) and the load (output force). Examples include a seesaw, crowbar, and scissors.
What happens to pressure when the area over which a force is applied decreases?
Answer: Pressure increases
Pressure = Force ÷ Area. When the area decreases while force remains constant, pressure increases. This is why a sharp knife cuts better than a dull one — the same force is applied over a smaller area.
A 200-pound object is lifted 6 feet using a lever with a mechanical advantage of 4. How much force is needed?
Answer: 50 pounds
Force needed = Load ÷ Mechanical Advantage = 200 ÷ 4 = 50 pounds.
What is torque?
Answer: A rotational force applied at a distance from a pivot point
Torque is the rotational equivalent of force. It equals force multiplied by the distance from the pivot point (torque = force × lever arm). It causes objects to rotate.
In a hydraulic system, what happens when pressure is applied to a confined fluid?
Answer: The pressure is transmitted equally in all directions
Pascal's Law states that pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted undiminished in all directions. This principle is the basis for hydraulic systems used in brakes, lifts, and heavy machinery.
What is the purpose of a governor on an engine?
Answer: Regulate engine speed
A governor is a mechanical device that automatically regulates engine speed by controlling fuel supply or throttle position. It prevents the engine from running too fast or too slow under varying loads.