WTMA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the WTMA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 WTMA Exam Format at a Glance
📚 WTMA Topics to Study (15)
✍️ Sample WTMA Questions & Answers
1. In a simple electrical circuit, if the voltage is doubled and the resistance remains constant, what happens to the current?
According to Ohm's Law (V=IR, or I=V/R), current (I) is directly proportional to voltage (V) and inversely proportional to resistance (R). If the voltage is doubled while resistance stays the same, the current must also double to maintain the relationship.
2. A 6-tooth sprocket drives a 24-tooth sprocket. The driven sprocket rotates at what fraction of the driver's speed?
Speed ratio for chain drives = driver teeth / driven teeth = 6/24 = 1/4, so the driven sprocket turns at one-quarter the driver's speed.
3. Which of the following actions would increase the kinetic friction between a moving sled and the snowy ground?
The force of kinetic friction is calculated as the product of the coefficient of kinetic friction and the normal force. The normal force is equal to the weight of the sled (mass times gravity). By adding more weight to the sled, you increase the normal force, which in turn increases the force of kinetic friction.
4. What is the formula for calculating work?
In physics, work is defined as the energy transferred to or from an object by applying a force that causes displacement. The formula for calculating work is Work = Force × Distance (W = Fd). This means that work is done only when a force causes an object to move over a certain distance in the direction of the force.
5. What is the ratio of the pulling force F to the load L if the weight of each pulley is equal to the load? (F / L =?)
In an ideal pulley system, the ratio of the pulling force (F) to the load (L) is equal to 1 divided by the mechanical advantage (MA). If the ratio F/L is 1, it implies that the pulling force is equal to the load. This scenario typically occurs with a single fixed pulley, which only changes the direction of the force but does not provide any mechanical advantage in terms of reducing the force required to lift the load. The information about the weight of each pulley is a distractor for this ideal scenario.
6. What is the primary advantage of a V-belt over a flat belt for power transmission?
The wedging action of a V-belt seated in its groove creates more friction contact than a flat belt, significantly reducing slippage under load.