ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension 5

Question 1

A bicycle shifts to a smaller rear sprocket. What is the effect on pedaling effort and speed?

Accepted Answer

More effort, more speed

Answer

A smaller rear sprocket increases the gear ratio, requiring more force to pedal but producing higher wheel speed.

Question 2

Which type of stress acts parallel to the cross-section of a material, causing layers to slide?

Accepted Answer

Shear stress

Answer

Shear stress acts parallel to a surface, causing adjacent material layers to slide relative to each other.

Question 3

A flywheel stores energy by using its:

Accepted Answer

Rotational inertia

Answer

A flywheel stores kinetic energy as rotational inertia, resisting changes in angular velocity.

Question 4

If you double the diameter of a pipe while keeping flow velocity constant, how does the flow rate change?

Accepted Answer

It quadruples

Answer

Flow rate = area × velocity; doubling diameter quadruples area (πr²), so flow rate quadruples.

Question 5

A ratchet mechanism allows motion in one direction only. What component prevents reverse rotation?

Accepted Answer

Detent pawl

Answer

The pawl engages the ratchet wheel's teeth to block rotation in the reverse direction.

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