Mechanical Reasoning Concepts Flashcards

A compound pulley system has 4 rope segments supporting a load. What is the ideal mechanical advantage?

Answer: 4

The mechanical advantage of a block-and-tackle equals the number of rope segments supporting the moving block.

Which material property describes a material's ability to return to its original shape after a deforming force is removed?

Answer: Elasticity

Elasticity is the property by which a material recovers its original shape after deformation forces are removed.

A flywheel stores kinetic energy in rotation. If its rotational speed doubles, its stored energy:

Answer: Quadruples

Rotational kinetic energy = ½Iω²; doubling ω increases energy by 2² = 4 times.

In a belt-and-pulley system, a 10 cm driver pulley turns at 600 RPM driving a 30 cm driven pulley. What is the driven pulley's speed?

Answer: 200 RPM

Pulley speed ratio inversely follows diameter ratio: driven speed = 600 × (10/30) = 200 RPM.

A metal beam fixed at one end (cantilever) deflects under a load at its free end. If the load is doubled, the deflection:

Answer: Doubles

Beam deflection is directly proportional to load for elastic deformation, so doubling the load doubles deflection.

What does a manometer measure?

Answer: Fluid pressure

A manometer measures fluid (liquid or gas) pressure by the height difference of a fluid column.

A piston in a cylinder compresses gas from 4 L to 1 L at constant temperature. If the initial pressure was 1 atm, what is the final pressure?

Answer: 4 atm

Boyle's Law: P₁V₁ = P₂V₂; P₂ = (1 atm × 4 L) / 1 L = 4 atm.