WorkKeys Applied Technology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?
- To increase current flow to devices
- To protect against overcurrent and prevent fires (Correct answer)
- To convert alternating current to direct current
- To store electrical energy for later use
Correct answer: To protect against overcurrent and prevent fires
A fuse contains a metal strip that melts and breaks the circuit when current exceeds a safe level, protecting wiring and devices.
Question 2: Direct current (DC) differs from alternating current (AC) in that DC:
- Changes direction many times per second
- Flows in one direction only (Correct answer)
- Cannot power motors or lights
- Requires a transformer to be useful
Correct answer: Flows in one direction only
Direct current flows consistently in one direction, whereas alternating current periodically reverses direction at a set frequency.
Question 3: A machine has a mechanical advantage of 5 and requires an input force of 40 lbs. What is the output force?
- 8 lbs
- 40 lbs
- 160 lbs
- 200 lbs (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 200 lbs
Output force equals mechanical advantage multiplied by input force: 5 × 40 = 200 lbs.
Question 4: According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat naturally flows:
- From a cold region to a hot region
- From a hot region to a cold region (Correct answer)
- Equally in both directions
- Only when pressure is applied
Correct answer: From a hot region to a cold region
Heat spontaneously transfers from higher-temperature areas to lower-temperature areas until thermal equilibrium is reached.
Question 5: A compound gear train consists of three gear pairs with individual ratios of 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1. What is the total gear reduction?
- 9:1
- 12:1
- 18:1
- 24:1 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 24:1
In a compound gear train, total gear ratio is found by multiplying all individual ratios: 2 × 3 × 4 = 24:1.
Question 6: In a pneumatic system, the working fluid that transmits force is:
- Hydraulic oil
- Water under pressure
- Compressed air or gas (Correct answer)
- Molten metal
Correct answer: Compressed air or gas
Pneumatic systems use compressed air or gas as the working fluid, distinguishing them from hydraulic systems that use liquid.
Question 7: When two resistors of equal value are connected in parallel, the total resistance of the combination is:
- Twice the value of one resistor
- Equal to the value of one resistor
- Half the value of one resistor (Correct answer)
- Zero ohms
Correct answer: Half the value of one resistor
Two equal resistors in parallel have a total resistance of half their individual value, because current has two equal paths to travel.
WorkKeys Applied Technology 2
What is the primary purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?