Firefighter Tools and Mechanical Reasoning 3

Question 1

A large gear with 40 teeth drives a small gear with 10 teeth. The small gear turns how many times for each full turn of the large gear?

Accepted Answer

4 times

Answer

The tooth ratio is 40:10, so the small gear turns 4 times per large-gear revolution.

Question 2

Which hand tool would a firefighter use to cut through a chain-link fence quickly?

Accepted Answer

Bolt cutters

Answer

Bolt cutters provide the leverage needed to sever metal links and small chains.

Question 3

When two people carry a ladder, balancing the weight evenly between them is an example of distributing what?

Accepted Answer

Load

Answer

Sharing the ladder's weight evenly distributes the load between both carriers.

Question 4

A wedge, such as an axe head, converts a downward force into forces acting in which direction?

Accepted Answer

Outward to the sides

Answer

A wedge splits material by turning downward force into sideways forces.

Question 5

If a hydraulic system multiplies force, applying pressure to a small piston produces a larger force on which piston?

Accepted Answer

A larger piston

Answer

Hydraulic systems multiply force by transmitting pressure to a larger-area piston.

Firefighter Practice Test