Applied Technology Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?

Answer: To protect against overcurrent and prevent fires

A fuse contains a metal strip that melts and breaks the circuit when current exceeds a safe level, protecting wiring and devices.

Direct current (DC) differs from alternating current (AC) in that DC:

Answer: Flows in one direction only

Direct current flows consistently in one direction, whereas alternating current periodically reverses direction at a set frequency.

A machine has a mechanical advantage of 5 and requires an input force of 40 lbs. What is the output force?

Answer: 200 lbs

Output force equals mechanical advantage multiplied by input force: 5 × 40 = 200 lbs.

According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat naturally flows:

Answer: From a hot region to a cold region

Heat spontaneously transfers from higher-temperature areas to lower-temperature areas until thermal equilibrium is reached.

A compound gear train consists of three gear pairs with individual ratios of 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1. What is the total gear reduction?

Answer: 24:1

In a compound gear train, total gear ratio is found by multiplying all individual ratios: 2 × 3 × 4 = 24:1.

In a pneumatic system, the working fluid that transmits force is:

Answer: Compressed air or gas

Pneumatic systems use compressed air or gas as the working fluid, distinguishing them from hydraulic systems that use liquid.

When two resistors of equal value are connected in parallel, the total resistance of the combination is:

Answer: Half the value of one resistor

Two equal resistors in parallel have a total resistance of half their individual value, because current has two equal paths to travel.