Psychometric Test Psychometric Test Mechanical Reasoning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A car travels 60 miles in 1 hour, then 90 miles in 1.5 hours. What is its average speed for the entire journey?
- 60 mph
- 65 mph (Correct answer)
- 75 mph
- 80 mph
Correct answer: 65 mph
Total distance = 150 miles; total time = 2.5 hours; average speed = 150/2.5 = 60 mph.
Question 2: If you increase the length of a pendulum, what happens to the time it takes to complete one swing?
- It decreases
- It stays the same
- It increases (Correct answer)
- It depends on the weight
Correct answer: It increases
The period of a pendulum increases with the square root of its length; a longer pendulum swings more slowly.
Question 3: A screw has 20 threads per inch. How many full rotations are needed to advance the screw 1 inch into wood?
- 5
- 10
- 20 (Correct answer)
- 40
Correct answer: 20
With 20 threads per inch, each rotation advances the screw 1/20 inch, so 20 rotations advance it 1 inch.
Question 4: Two balls of equal size but different masses are dropped simultaneously from the same height. In the absence of air resistance, which lands first?
- The heavier one
- The lighter one
- They land at the same time (Correct answer)
- It depends on their shape
Correct answer: They land at the same time
Gravity accelerates all objects equally regardless of mass (Galileo's principle), so both land simultaneously.
Question 5: Which material would be the best electrical conductor?
- Wood
- Rubber
- Copper (Correct answer)
- Glass
Correct answer: Copper
Copper is a metal with free electrons and is one of the best electrical conductors among common materials.
Question 6: A wrench with a longer handle is easier to turn a bolt because it:
- Reduces the force needed by increasing torque leverage (Correct answer)
- Increases friction on the bolt
- Adds more weight to the turn
- Reduces the angle of rotation needed
Correct answer: Reduces the force needed by increasing torque leverage
A longer handle increases the moment arm, providing greater torque for the same applied force.
A car travels 60 miles in 1 hour, then 90 miles in 1.5 hours.
What is its average speed for the entire journey?