Mechanical Aptitude and Principles Flashcards

A firefighter raises a ladder. As the ladder is raised more vertical (steeper), the force needed to hold it does what?

Answer: Decreases

A more vertical ladder has its weight acting closer to the base, reducing the holding force needed.

Which gear arrangement would produce the greatest increase in speed at the output?

Answer: Large gear driving a small gear

A large gear driving a small gear makes the smaller output gear spin faster.

A balloon rises in air because the gas inside is what compared to the surrounding air?

Answer: Less dense

A balloon rises when the gas inside is less dense than the surrounding air, creating buoyant lift.

When two springs of equal stiffness are connected end to end (in series) and a weight is hung, the total stretch compared to one spring is?

Answer: Twice as much

Springs in series each stretch fully, so two equal springs stretch twice as much as one.

A heavy object resting on a wide base is harder to tip over than the same object on a narrow base because of?

Answer: A lower, more stable center of gravity over the base

A wider base keeps the center of gravity within the support area, making tipping harder.

If a valve in a water pipe is partially closed, the flow rate through the pipe will?

Answer: Decrease

Partially closing a valve restricts the opening and reduces the flow rate.

Which tool relies primarily on the wedge principle?

Answer: An axe

An axe uses a wedge to split material by converting downward force into sideways splitting force.