GCAT Mechanical Reasoning Concepts 5

Question 1

A cam converts:

Accepted Answer

Rotational motion to linear (reciprocating) motion

Answer

A cam is a rotating or sliding piece that pushes a follower up and down, converting rotation to reciprocating motion.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes mechanical advantage?

Accepted Answer

The ratio of output force to input force

Answer

Mechanical advantage = output force / input force, indicating how much a machine multiplies applied force.

Question 3

A steel I-beam is used in construction because compared to a solid rectangular beam of the same weight, it has:

Accepted Answer

Greater bending resistance

Answer

The I-shape places material far from the neutral axis, maximizing the second moment of area and bending resistance.

Question 4

A 5 kg object falls freely for 3 seconds (g = 10 m/s²). What is its velocity just before impact?

Accepted Answer

30 m/s

Answer

v = gt = 10 × 3 = 30 m/s (mass is irrelevant to free-fall velocity).

Question 5

A worm gear drive has a worm with 1 thread meshing a 50-tooth worm wheel. What is the gear ratio?

Accepted Answer

50:1

Answer

A single-thread worm advances the wheel by one tooth per revolution, giving a 50:1 speed reduction ratio.

GCAT - General Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test