SIFT Mechanical Comprehension Exam
Questions and Answers
Newton's first law - ANS-an object will maintain its current velocity and direction unless
acted on by an outside force
screw - ANS-a simple machine that converts rotational motion into linear motion
Mass - ANS-a measure of the inertia of an object, or the amount of matter in an object
Gear - ANS-a simple machine that is circular and has notches or teeth along the outer
edge
Wedge - ANS-a simple machine that converts an input force onto one surface into a
force that is perpendicular to its other surfaces
electromagnetic force - ANS-the force between electric charges
third-class lever - ANS-has the input and output forces on one common side of the
fulcrum, and both are in the same direction; the input force is closer to the fulcrum than
the output force is
gravitational force - ANS-the force that pulls masses together
Work - ANS-the application of a force over a distance
Power - ANS-the rate of work done or energy conversion per time
second-class lever - ANS-has the input and output forces on one common side of the
fulcrum, and both are in the same direction; the output force is closer to the fulcrum than
the input force is
Newton's Third Law - ANS-for every action (force), there will be an equal and opposite
reaction (force)
Weight - ANS-the gravitational force felt by an object on the surface of the earth
Potential Energy (PE) - ANS-the potential for an object to gain kinetic energy due to its
position
Questions and Answers
Newton's first law - ANS-an object will maintain its current velocity and direction unless
acted on by an outside force
screw - ANS-a simple machine that converts rotational motion into linear motion
Mass - ANS-a measure of the inertia of an object, or the amount of matter in an object
Gear - ANS-a simple machine that is circular and has notches or teeth along the outer
edge
Wedge - ANS-a simple machine that converts an input force onto one surface into a
force that is perpendicular to its other surfaces
electromagnetic force - ANS-the force between electric charges
third-class lever - ANS-has the input and output forces on one common side of the
fulcrum, and both are in the same direction; the input force is closer to the fulcrum than
the output force is
gravitational force - ANS-the force that pulls masses together
Work - ANS-the application of a force over a distance
Power - ANS-the rate of work done or energy conversion per time
second-class lever - ANS-has the input and output forces on one common side of the
fulcrum, and both are in the same direction; the output force is closer to the fulcrum than
the input force is
Newton's Third Law - ANS-for every action (force), there will be an equal and opposite
reaction (force)
Weight - ANS-the gravitational force felt by an object on the surface of the earth
Potential Energy (PE) - ANS-the potential for an object to gain kinetic energy due to its
position
