Mechanical Aptitude Test Ultimate 1

Question 1

A class 1 lever has its fulcrum positioned 0.5 m from a 600 N load and 2.0 m from the effort point. What effort force is needed to balance the load?

Accepted Answer

150 N

Answer

Using the lever principle: Load × load arm = Effort × effort arm. So 600 N × 0.5 m = Effort × 2.0 m, giving Effort = 300 / 2.0 = 150 N.

Question 2

An inclined plane is 5 meters long and rises 1 meter vertically. What is the mechanical advantage of this inclined plane?

Accepted Answer

5

Answer

The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane equals the slope length divided by the vertical height: MA = 5 m ÷ 1 m = 5. A longer ramp for the same rise multiplies your force by 5.

Question 3

A driving pulley with a diameter of 150 mm rotates at 800 RPM and is connected by a belt to a driven pulley with a diameter of 400 mm. What is the speed of the driven pulley?

Accepted Answer

300 RPM

Answer

Belt speed is constant, so N₁ × D₁ = N₂ × D₂. Therefore N₂ = 800 × 150 / 400 = 300 RPM. The larger pulley rotates slower in proportion to the diameter ratio.

Question 4

Two springs with spring constants k₁ = 200 N/m and k₂ = 300 N/m are connected in series. What is the combined spring constant?

Accepted Answer

120 N/m

Answer

For springs in series: 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂ = 1/200 + 1/300 = 5/600, so k = 120 N/m. Springs in series are always softer (lower k) than either individual spring.

Question 5

A wrench applies a force of 80 N perpendicular to its handle at a distance of 0.25 m from the center of a bolt. What torque is applied to the bolt?

Accepted Answer

20 N·m

Answer

Torque = Force × perpendicular distance = 80 N × 0.25 m = 20 N·m. The torque depends on both the force applied and how far from the pivot it acts.

Mechanical Aptitude Test Practice Test

Mechanical Aptitude Test Practice Test

Mechanical Aptitude Test Ultimate 1