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Applying Mechanical Reasoning Flashcards

7 cards from real FCTC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Applying Mechanical Reasoning flashcards as text

  1. An inclined plane is 12 feet long and rises 3 feet. What is its mechanical advantage?

    Answer: 4

    Mechanical advantage of an inclined plane = length ÷ height = 12 ÷ 3 = 4.

  2. A wheel and axle has a wheel radius of 18 inches and an axle radius of 3 inches. What is its mechanical advantage?

    Answer: 6

    Mechanical advantage = wheel radius ÷ axle radius = 18 ÷ 3 = 6.

  3. Two pistons in a hydraulic system are connected. The smaller piston moves 10 inches downward. If the area ratio (large/small) is 5:1, how far does the large piston move?

    Answer: 2 in

    Volume is conserved; with a 5:1 area ratio, the large piston moves 10 ÷ 5 = 2 inches.

  4. A pulley system is fixed to the ceiling (fixed pulley only). What does this arrangement provide?

    Answer: Changes the direction of force only

    A single fixed pulley only redirects the force — it provides no mechanical advantage, so you still lift with the same force as the load.

  5. Gear A (10 teeth) drives Gear B (30 teeth), which is on the same shaft as Gear C (10 teeth), which drives Gear D (30 teeth). What is the overall gear ratio from A to D?

    Answer: 9:1

    Each gear pair has a 3:1 ratio; combined in series they multiply: 3 × 3 = 9:1 overall ratio.

  6. A wrench handle is 12 inches long. To loosen a bolt, a mechanic applies 30 lb of force perpendicular to the handle. What torque is applied?

    Answer: 30 ft-lb

    Torque = force × distance = 30 lb × 1 ft (12 in ÷ 12) = 30 ft-lb.

  7. What is the primary purpose of a flywheel in an engine?

    Answer: Store rotational energy to smooth out power strokes

    A flywheel stores rotational kinetic energy during power strokes and releases it during non-power strokes to keep rotation smooth.

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