FCTC Test FCTC Mechanical Reasoning Principles 1

Question 1

A movable pulley system uses 2 rope segments to support a load. If the load weighs 400 lbs, how much effort force is required (ignoring friction)?

Accepted Answer

200 lbs

Answer

A movable pulley provides a mechanical advantage equal to the number of rope segments supporting the load. With 2 supporting segments, the mechanical advantage is 2, so the required effort is 400 ÷ 2 = 200 lbs.

Question 2

A wheel with a radius of 12 inches is attached to an axle with a radius of 3 inches. If a force of 50 lbs is applied to the rim of the wheel, how much load can the axle lift?

Accepted Answer

200 lbs

Answer

The mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle equals the wheel radius divided by the axle radius: 12 ÷ 3 = 4. Multiply the applied force by the MA: 50 × 4 = 200 lbs.

Question 3

A hydraulic system has a small piston with an area of 2 square inches and a large piston with an area of 10 square inches. If 50 lbs of force is applied to the small piston, what output force is produced at the large piston?

Accepted Answer

250 lbs

Answer

By Pascal's Law, pressure is transmitted equally throughout the fluid. Pressure = 50 ÷ 2 = 25 psi. Output force = 25 × 10 = 250 lbs. The force scales with the ratio of the piston areas.

Question 4

An inclined plane is 10 feet long and 2 feet high. What is the mechanical advantage of this ramp?

Accepted Answer

5

Answer

The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is calculated by dividing the length of the slope by its vertical height: 10 ÷ 2 = 5. This means you only need 1/5 of the load's weight to push it up the ramp.

Question 5

Which class of lever has the load (resistance) positioned between the fulcrum and the effort force?

Accepted Answer

Second class

Answer

In a second-class lever, the load sits between the fulcrum and the effort. A wheelbarrow is the classic example — the wheel is the fulcrum, the load sits in the middle, and you lift the handles at the far end.

FCTC Test Practice Test

FCTC Test Practice Test

FCTC Test FCTC Mechanical Reasoning Principles 1