FE Civil Engineering Exam Prep #3

Question 1

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Contour lines are parallel to the direction of maximum slope.

Answer

Contour lines connect points of equal elevation on a map. The direction of maximum slope is always perpendicular to the contour lines, indicating the steepest path uphill or downhill. Therefore, stating that contour lines are parallel to the direction of maximum slope is incorrect; they are orthogonal to it, showing that the steepest path crosses the contours at right angles.

Question 2

A line is measured as 1,200 ft at 98° F. Using a standard tape, what is the true length of the line?

Accepted Answer

1200.23 ft

Answer

This question involves a temperature correction for a steel tape. Steel tapes expand when the ambient temperature is higher than the standard calibration temperature (typically 68°F). The correction is calculated by multiplying the measured length, the coefficient of thermal expansion for steel (approximately 0.00000645 per °F), and the temperature difference. Since the tape expanded, the measured length is shorter than the true length, so the correction is added to the measured value: 1200 ft + (1200 ft * 0.00000645/°F * (98°F - 68°F)) = 1200 + 0.2322 = 1200.23 ft.

Question 3

Which of the following statements expresses Hooke’s Law of simple harmonic motion?

Accepted Answer

Spring force = -(spring constant x displacement)

Answer

Hooke's Law describes the restoring force of a spring, stating that this force is directly proportional to the displacement from its equilibrium position. The formula F = -kx, where F is the spring force, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement, accurately represents this relationship. The negative sign indicates that the spring force always acts in the opposite direction to the displacement, attempting to restore the spring to equilibrium.

Question 4

Which of the following sentences provides an example of effective diction?

Accepted Answer

A good writer will only use big words when necessary.

Answer

Effective diction involves choosing words that are precise, appropriate for the audience and purpose, and contribute to clarity and conciseness. Option A emphasizes that complex vocabulary should only be used when it genuinely enhances meaning, rather than for mere embellishment. The other options demonstrate overly verbose or pretentious language, which typically hinders clarity and is not considered effective diction.

Question 5

A 2.2 kg object is sliding across a smooth surface. If the net force acting on the object is 1.6 N to the right, what is the acceleration of the object?

Accepted Answer

Answer

This question applies Newton's Second Law of Motion, which states that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma). Given a net force (F) of 1.6 N and a mass (m) of 2.2 kg, the acceleration (a) can be calculated by dividing the force by the mass. Therefore, a = 1.6 N / 2.2 kg ≈ 0.73 m/s². Since the net force is directed to the right, the acceleration of the object will also be to the right.

Uncategorized Practice Test

Uncategorized Practice Test

FE Civil Engineering Exam Prep #3