WTMA - Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude Springs and Elasticity Questions and Answers

Question 1

A spring has a 10 lb weight attached to it, causing it to stretch 2 inches from its natural position.
If the 10 lb weight is replaced with a 20 lb weight, how much will the spring stretch from its original, unstretched position, assuming it remains within its elastic limit?

Accepted Answer

4 inches

Answer

8 inches

Answer

2 inches

Answer

3 inches

Question 2

Which of the following statements best describes a spring with a high spring constant (k)?

Accepted Answer

It requires a large force to produce a small amount of stretch or compression.

Answer

It is very long when in its natural, un-stretched state.

Answer

It is very easy to stretch or compress.

Answer

It stores less potential energy than a spring with a low 'k' for the same amount of stretch.

Question 3

A heavy block is placed on a single compression spring, causing it to compress by 4 cm. If an identical second spring is placed next to the first (in parallel), and the same block is placed on top of both springs, what will be the new compression distance?

Accepted Answer

2 cm

Answer

4 cm

Answer

8 cm

Answer

1 cm

Question 4

What is the term for the point beyond which a spring or other elastic material, when stretched, will not return to its original shape after the deforming force is removed?

Accepted Answer

Elastic Limit

Answer

Breaking Point

Answer

Proportional Limit

Answer

Yield Strength

Question 5

Two identical springs are connected end-to-end (in series). A 5 kg mass hung from a single one of these springs causes it to stretch by 10 cm. What will be the TOTAL stretch when the same 5 kg mass is hung from the two-spring series combination?

Accepted Answer

20 cm

Answer

10 cm

Answer

5 cm

Answer

15 cm

Question 6

A spring is compressed by a distance 'x', storing an amount of elastic potential energy 'E'. If the same spring is instead compressed by a distance of '2x', how much elastic potential energy will it store?

Accepted Answer

4E (quadruple the amount)

Answer

E (the same amount)

Answer

2E (double the amount)

Answer

E/2 (half the amount)