1
NEIEP Mechanics Exam – Advanced
Practice Questions with Verified Answers
and Detailed Rationales
1. A 200 kg elevator car is suspended by a single hoist rope. If the car is accelerating upward
at 1.5 m/s², what is the tension in the rope? (Assume g = 9.8 m/s²)
A. 1660 N
B. 1960 N
C. 2260 N
D. 2560 N
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: Using Newton's second law, T - mg = ma. Therefore, T = m(g + a) = 200(9.8
+ 1.5) = 200(11.3) = 2260 N. Option A incorrectly subtracts acceleration; B uses only the weight
(mg) without accounting for acceleration; D uses an incorrect acceleration value.
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2. A traction elevator uses a sheave with a diameter of 24 inches. If the motor rotates at 180
RPM, what is the linear speed of the hoist ropes in feet per minute?
A. 1131 fpm
B. 1885 fpm
C. 2262 fpm
D. 3770 fpm
☑ Correct Answer: A
☑ Explanation: Linear speed V = π × D × RPM = π × (24/12) × 180 = π × 2 × 180 = 1131 fpm.
Option B uses diameter in inches without converting to feet; C incorrectly uses 360 RPM; D uses
a 48-inch diameter.
3. Which of Newton's laws explains why a passenger feels pressed into the floor when an
elevator accelerates upward?
A. First Law (Law of Inertia)
B. Second Law (F = ma)
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C. Third Law (Action-Reaction)
D. Law of Universal Gravitation
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: The passenger feels pressed into the floor because the floor exerts an
upward force on the passenger (action), and the passenger exerts an equal downward force on
the floor (reaction). This is Newton's Third Law. Option A describes inertia; B describes the
relationship between force, mass, and acceleration; D describes gravitational attraction
between masses.
4. What is the mechanical advantage of a block and tackle system with 6 rope parts
supporting the movable block?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
D. 12
, 4
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: The mechanical advantage of a block and tackle is equal to the number of
rope parts supporting the movable block, assuming ideal conditions with no friction. Therefore,
6 rope parts provide a mechanical advantage of 6. Option A divides by 2; B is incorrect; D
doubles the count.
5. A hydraulic elevator jack has a plunger diameter of 4 inches. What is the area of the
plunger in square inches?
A. 6.28 in²
B. 12.57 in²
C. 25.13 in²
D. 50.27 in²
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: Area = π × r² = π × (2)² = π × 4 = 12.57 in². Option A uses 2πr
(circumference); C uses 4-inch diameter as radius; D uses diameter squared without dividing by
4.
NEIEP Mechanics Exam – Advanced
Practice Questions with Verified Answers
and Detailed Rationales
1. A 200 kg elevator car is suspended by a single hoist rope. If the car is accelerating upward
at 1.5 m/s², what is the tension in the rope? (Assume g = 9.8 m/s²)
A. 1660 N
B. 1960 N
C. 2260 N
D. 2560 N
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: Using Newton's second law, T - mg = ma. Therefore, T = m(g + a) = 200(9.8
+ 1.5) = 200(11.3) = 2260 N. Option A incorrectly subtracts acceleration; B uses only the weight
(mg) without accounting for acceleration; D uses an incorrect acceleration value.
,2
2. A traction elevator uses a sheave with a diameter of 24 inches. If the motor rotates at 180
RPM, what is the linear speed of the hoist ropes in feet per minute?
A. 1131 fpm
B. 1885 fpm
C. 2262 fpm
D. 3770 fpm
☑ Correct Answer: A
☑ Explanation: Linear speed V = π × D × RPM = π × (24/12) × 180 = π × 2 × 180 = 1131 fpm.
Option B uses diameter in inches without converting to feet; C incorrectly uses 360 RPM; D uses
a 48-inch diameter.
3. Which of Newton's laws explains why a passenger feels pressed into the floor when an
elevator accelerates upward?
A. First Law (Law of Inertia)
B. Second Law (F = ma)
,3
C. Third Law (Action-Reaction)
D. Law of Universal Gravitation
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: The passenger feels pressed into the floor because the floor exerts an
upward force on the passenger (action), and the passenger exerts an equal downward force on
the floor (reaction). This is Newton's Third Law. Option A describes inertia; B describes the
relationship between force, mass, and acceleration; D describes gravitational attraction
between masses.
4. What is the mechanical advantage of a block and tackle system with 6 rope parts
supporting the movable block?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 6
D. 12
, 4
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: The mechanical advantage of a block and tackle is equal to the number of
rope parts supporting the movable block, assuming ideal conditions with no friction. Therefore,
6 rope parts provide a mechanical advantage of 6. Option A divides by 2; B is incorrect; D
doubles the count.
5. A hydraulic elevator jack has a plunger diameter of 4 inches. What is the area of the
plunger in square inches?
A. 6.28 in²
B. 12.57 in²
C. 25.13 in²
D. 50.27 in²
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: Area = π × r² = π × (2)² = π × 4 = 12.57 in². Option A uses 2πr
(circumference); C uses 4-inch diameter as radius; D uses diameter squared without dividing by
4.
