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Mechanical Comprehension Flashcards

7 cards from real EIAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Mechanical Comprehension flashcards as text
  1. A counterweight in an elevator system is used primarily to:

    Answer: Reduce the load on the hoisting motor

    Counterweights offset the weight of the cab plus a portion of rated load, reducing the energy the motor must supply.

  2. A sheave is best described as:

    Answer: A grooved pulley over which hoisting ropes run

    A sheave is a grooved wheel (pulley) that guides and redirects wire ropes in an elevator drive system.

  3. If a lever has a mechanical advantage of 4 and the effort force is 50 lb, the load it can lift is:

    Answer: 200 lb

    Mechanical advantage = Load / Effort, so Load = MA × Effort = 4 × 50 = 200 lb.

  4. In a hydraulic elevator, fluid pressure is applied to:

    Answer: A piston or plunger to raise the cab

    Hydraulic elevators use a pump to pressurize oil that acts on a piston/plunger, which physically pushes the cab upward.

  5. Which type of gear provides the smoothest torque transmission and is commonly used in elevator drive machines?

    Answer: Worm gear

    Worm gear drives are self-locking and provide smooth, quiet operation with high reduction ratios, making them ideal for elevator machines.

  6. A spring under a 300 lb load compresses 2 inches. What is the spring constant (k)?

    Answer: 150 lb/in

    Spring constant k = F / x = 300 lb ÷ 2 in = 150 lb/in.

  7. When two gears mesh, the gear with MORE teeth rotates:

    Answer: Slower than the smaller gear

    In a meshed gear pair, the larger gear (more teeth) rotates more slowly; speed ratio is inversely proportional to tooth count.