Principles of Engineering Exam Questions and Answers.

Principles of Engineering Exam Questions and Answers Science, technology, and math form the core of engineering - Correct Answers: Analysis, research, design, testing, development, management, consulting, and sales are involved in the engineering process Early engineers were present during ancient times - Correct Answers: Egyptians built pyramids Romans used math to build Colosseum, aqueducts, and roads Chinese built the Great Wall Modern Engineering - Correct Answers: Officially began during Renaissance (primarily used for military purposes) First formal institutions for preparing engineers were in France (1700's) Mechanical engineering began in England and Scotland with invention of steam engines and other machines used for textile industry Training became more formal after American Civil War Great engineering achievements - Correct Answers: Electrification (making electricity readily available) Transportation (automobiles, highways, airplanes, spacecraft) Water supply and distribution Electronics and communication (computers & the internet) Agriculture Air conditioning and refrigeration Medical imaging (x-rays, CAT scans, MRI's) Materials (alloys, Pyrex, fiberglass) Major Activities of Engineering - Correct Answers: Analysis (important in beginning new projects) Research (search for new knowledge within a particular field) Design (development of formal plans for creating products and processes) Testing (including quality control) Development (building of prototypes, testing of results, and changes made) Management (supervision of a team of engineers working on a project) Consulting (individuals/companies who provide expert advice/assistance) Sales (persuading clients to purchase product or service) Design process - Correct Answers: Define problem --> develop solution --> build and test <----> refine and complete Basic Mathematics - Correct Answers: Ratios (unit conversions; air-to-fuel, thrust-to-weight, and gear ratios) Reciprocals Logic and algorithms- Logic is the study of mathematical reasoning to solve a problem. Algorithms are step-by-step processes used to complete tasks Dimensions and units (accurate measurements; SI vs. English units) Statistics (probability - risk assessment and management, normal distribution and standard deviation) Algebraic Applications - Correct Answers: Inverse functions (dimensional analysis) Quadratic functions y = ax2 +bx + c Geometry and Trigonometry Applications - Correct Answers: Area and Volume Vectors Trigonometry (whenever triangles are used) Calculus Applications - Correct Answers: Exponents and Logarithms Differential Equations Derivatives Physics concepts - Correct Answers: Work, energy, and power (including kinetic and potential energy) Thermodynamics Forces and motion (kinematics, mechanics, and torque) Optics (study of behavior and properties of light) Acoustics (study of sound waves) Earth Science Applications - Correct Answers: Geology Water (fluid mechanics) Chemistry Concepts - Correct Answers: Atomic and Molecular structure Materials Science (polymers/plastics) Organic Chemistry (hydrocarbons, specifically propane and octane) Electrochemistry (batteries) Environmental Chemistry (water treatment, hazardous waste management) Biological Applications - Correct Answers: Botany Genetics, Anatomy, and Physiology (biomedical engineers; genetics/heredity) Bioremediation (use of microorganisms to clean environment) Algorithm Symbols (using "getting ready for bed" as the flowchart/algorithm) - Correct Answers: Rectangle represents a process (e.g., put on jammies, turn out light, etc.) Diamond represents a decision (e.g., do I want to read tonight?) Predefined processes is identified by a rectangle a vertical bar on each edge (e.g., taking a shower, brushing your teeth) Parallelogram represents data (e.g., time you fell asleep) Research and Development ("R & D") - Correct Answers: Defining Engineering Problems Identify Problem or Opportunity Define Project Constraints Research and Brainstorming Development and Prototyping Testing, Analysis, Optimization Evaluation and Presentation Documenting Your Work - Correct Answers: Patents (intellectual property) Witness and Disclosure (both a legal and practical purpose for a project) Engineering Problems and Opportunities - Correct Answers: Solve specific problem or improve existing device/system Identifying Stakeholders - Correct Answers: Individual/group that has an interest in the project and can affect or be affected by its outcomes Design Constraints - Correct Answers: Time, energy, space/area, tools, people, materials, capital, information, etc. Other Design Factors - Correct Answers: Appearance, durability, flexibility, simplicity, safety Research - Correct Answers: "Don't reinvent the wheel" What has already been done to solve the problem? How do existing products fall short in terms of the constraints? Examine many sources (print, electronic, experts in the field, etc.) Brainstorming and Idea Development - Correct Answers: Sketching (front, top, right, cross-sectional, or other) Alternative Solutions- Initial idea is not always the best Choosing the Best Solution- All viable ideas must be analyzed for their expected performance Functional Analysis- Determination of whether design will work as expected Decision Matrix- Mathematical tool intended to justify a solution. Used to narrow options and identify alternative solutions Tradeoffs- Is efficiency or appearance more important? Would a product sell if it cost more but used better quality materials? Implementation - Correct Answers: Drawings and Models (usually done in CAD) Prototyping (prototype is first working model of a design) Rapid prototyping (machine works in conjunction with CAD software to produce a physical model or prototype; example is a 3D printer) Full-Scale Development Testing and evaluation Redesign and Next-Generation Prototyping (series of prototypes) Communication Solutions (reports, presentations) Drawing Tools and Standards - Correct Answers: Computer-aided design (CAD) Always drawn/printed to scale (ratio of the object in reality is drawn/printed on paper in proportion to its actual size) Working Drawings - Correct Answers: Complete plans for an engineered product Generally prepared before a prototype is produced "Drafting" is the process used to prepare working drawings Orthographic Projection - Correct Answers: Type of drawing that depicts objects in a two-dimensional way Generally uses three aligned view (front, top, and right) Dimensions and Tolerances - Correct Answers: Tolerance is how much an actual measurement can vary from the design without affecting the product's performance Pictorial Drawings - Correct Answers: Isometric drawings show one corner of an object drawn with two sides emerging from that corner at 30 degree angles from the horizontal Oblique drawings show a complete side of an object with only one side drawn, usually to the right and at a 45 degree angle Exploded view (or assembly type) is a variation of isometric or oblique style, usually made to show how component pieces of a device/system fit together Perspective is a type of pictorial drawing that shows an object in a realistic, 3D fashion Patent drawings have certain requirements Theoretical Models - Correct Answers: Optimization (types and amounts of materials, cost, time, etc.) Computer Simulations (animations) Mathematical Models (using parameters and variables to create formulas) Physical Models - Correct Answers: Mockups (physical representation of a product) Form Study Models (scale model of a design usually of better quality and materials than a mockup) Rapid Prototyping (development of models and prototypes by using CAD and 3D printing) Appearance Models (high quality and detail; used for promotion and demonstration) Prototypes (full-scale working version of an item) Structure - Correct Answers: System of a flashlight has a structure of LED, power source, switch, lens, reflector, and circuit Interconnectivity - Correct Answers: Systems have boundaries, but an element in one system is often part of another Kinds of systems - Correct Answers: Natural Systems (solar system, respiratory and other biological systems, ecosystems, etc.) Human-Made Systems (schools, government, etc.) Engineered Systems (traffic control, cable television, telephone, Internet, etc.) Universal Systems Model - Correct Answers: Can describe how any system works (large or small, simple or complex) All systems have a common set of elements- Input - what you want the system to do (the need) and resources that are put into the system Process - action part of the system where resources interact and are combined Output - result of the system once the process has been completed Feedback - information about the input, process, or output, which is used to adjust the system Open- and Closed-Loop Systems - Correct Answers: Open-loop systems do not respond to changing conditions (clothes dryer) (infinite) Closed-loop systems can adjust for changing conditions (clothes dryer which senses how dry the clothes are... or AC because it shuts off when the house is cooled to the set temperature) Applying the Universal Systems Model - Correct Answers: Manufacturing System: Automobile Assembly Plant (Input - The goal is to produce automobiles. Process - To assemble the parts and paint the vehicle. Output - An automobile. Feedback - Vehicle is inspected and tested before it is shipped to dealer; customers let dealer know if they are happy with purchase) Information System: Internet Hotel Reservation System Input - The goal is to keep hotel fully occupied and input is travel requests from potential customers Process - Data management Output - Reservations Feedback - Customers receive an emailed survey regarding their recent stay Subsystems - Correct Answers: Smaller system that is part of the larger system (for a flashlight, the battery, LED, reflector, lens, and on/off switch all serve as subsystems) Communication systems (internet, radio, newspapers/magazines) each require subsystems to complete the tasks involved in those systems System Outputs - Correct Answers: Can be expected, unexpected, desirable, or undesirable Ex: Automobiles produce exhaust (expected but undesirable) Ex: Automobiles run (expected and desirable) Ex: Automobiles can fly (unexpected but desirable) Ex: Automobiles break down (unexpected and undesirable) Systems Thinking - Correct Answers: Elements of Systems Thinking Understanding the needs of stakeholders Developing creative solutions Considering how the system will perform in its life cycle Considering how the subsystems will affect one another Identifying tradeoffs (advantages and disadvantages) Managing risk (addressing what may go wrong) Assessing the impact of the overall system System Engineering - Correct Answers: Involves application of systems knowledge and systems thinking Systems Trends - Correct Answers: Complexity (especially in digital electronics) Importance (more focus on things like GPS and less on things like USPS) Security (transportation industry, specifically airlines; businesses with ID badges) Speed (self-service checkouts, automated toll systems, etc.) Connecting Old and New - Correct Answers: Infrastructure Technologies and compatibility The Workforce - Correct Answers: Diversity needed (male/female, cultural, young/older) Understanding Types and Classification of Materials - Correct Answers: Natural Synthetic Composite Natural - Correct Answers: Wood from trees Most naturally occurring metals Fibers from plants Synthetic - Correct Answers: Materials found not in nature (metal alloys, synthetic fibers, polymers and plastics) Composite - Correct Answers: Made from at least two distinct materials, which remain separate and distinct in an application where they are combined (fiberglass and carbon fiber) Material Properties - Correct Answers: Chemical Properties (behavior on a molecular level) Bonding (ionic/covalent) Chemical reactions (acidity in batteries, corrosion, etc.) Strength of Materials - Correct Answers: Stress - amount of force exerted in a certain area (F/A) Tensile strength - maximum stress that a material can withstand when subjected to tension (stretching) Compressive strength - material's ability to withstand compression Shear strength - atoms in a material are forced to slide past one another Deformation (strain) - change in a material's size/shape when under stress Deflection, yield strength, fatigue, elasticity, ductility, and malleability are all types of deformation Electromagnetic Properties - Correct Answers: Conductor, insulator, or semiconductor Thermal Properties - Correct Answers: Thermal conductivity Metals expand when temperature increases Flammability Melting and boiling points Optical Properties - Correct Answers: Reflectivity Absorption Refraction (bending of light upon entering a new medium) Dispersion (separation of light wave into colors) Luminosity (brightness) Color Acoustical Properties - Correct Answers: Reverberation and absorption with noise control and medical applications Manufacturing Properties - Correct Answers: Machinability (ability to be worked to a surface finish or at certain speeds) Castability (how easily a material can be molded from liquid form) Fabrication in Manufacturing - Correct Answers: Casting (metals, ceramics and some other materials) Molding (similar to casting; used for some plastics) Forming (forging, rolling, extruding, pressing, bending, shearing, compressing, drawing, and stamping) Separating (cutting and sawing, pulverizing, drilling, shaping, and planning) Joining (fastening, adhesive bonding, thermal joining, welding, soldering) Treating and Finishing (in treating, ceramics are "fired" and metals and some types of glass are tempered; methods of finishing are blasting, sanding, buffing, polishing, plating, coating, and grinding) Fabrication in Construction - Correct Answers: Metals (steel and other alloys are common in large-scale applications; copper, tin and aluminum tend are often cost-prohibitive in large-scale) Concrete (advantages are durability, strength, fire-resistance, low-maintenance, and typically environmentally sound; disadvantages are limited workability once cured, heavy, and is difficult to repair and maintain) Other Construction Materials (natural materials, plastics, glass, alloys, composite materials) Green Building Materials (woods such as bamboo, organic architecture, recycled glass, etc.) What engineered products do you find useful to your daily routine? - Correct Answers: Technology, cars, roads, buildings What items around you were designed by engineers? - Correct Answers: My laptop, the cars outside, roads, buildings, my phone What is the difference between an invention and an innovation? - Correct Answers: An invention is something new that has been created. An innovation is simply a concept that has not been created yet What sources of power are used to create electricity in your area? - Correct Answers: Solar power, gas, water power How has technology affected the routines of many farmers? - Correct Answers: In some cases, it has improved their jobs. It other cases, it can harm their jobs. What are some non-medical uses for x-rays? - Correct Answers: Art, lasers What types of resources could be used to assist engineering managers in assuring the efficiency of a project? - Correct Answers: Effective communication skills Name some places in your home or town where parabolic shapes are used in designs. - Correct Answers: Bridges, fountains, arches, McDonald's arches What does a nuclear power plant have in common with power generation methods that use coal or oil? - Correct Answers: They both generate power, produce waste Torque is dependent on three variables: the applied force, the length of the lever arm, and the angle between the force and the lever arm. What might you do to loosen a nut that you have not been able to loosen with a standard wrench? - Correct Answers: Use a wrench with a longer arm The study of biomechanics has enabled engineers to develop functional artificial limbs for people and animals. What is the focus of the work of biomedical engineers? - Correct Answers: Biomedical engineers apply engineering to healthcare and biology Why do engineers often need to repeat steps as they design a solution? - Correct Answers: Engineers often need to repeat steps because either something in their plan didn't go as expected or there was a more efficient way to resolve the problem Many decades-old engineering systems are being updated to incorporate modern principles that improve efficiency. Engineers must use newer technologies and better materials to develop a product superior to anything that currently exists. To redesign a complex product or system, engineers may work together to produce the next generation in efficiency. Discuss some of the benefits of collaboration between engineers. - Correct Answers: Collaboration between engineers is beneficial because they can find solutions in a quicker and more efficient manner Shredded tires are used to provide a cushioned surface to reduce injuries to children on playgrounds. What might be some other uses for shredded tires? - Correct Answers: I read somewhere that shredded tires can be made into pencils. They can also be used as soles of shoes, running tracks, aggressive confetti The engineering design process has many steps, from the initial ideation stage that might involve sketching and simple drawings, to the production of a new or improved product that might require multiple technical drawings. Being able to make sketches and drawings, both 2D and 3D, of your ideas lets you share them with others throughout this process. Sketch 6 views of an object using standard multi-view orientation. After you have completed your sketches, describe which views are necessary to fully describe the object. - Correct Answers: Front, back, top view, bottom view, face view Discuss why engineers often develop two or more possible solutions to an engineering program in the early stages of development. - Correct Answers: To have a backup plan, multiple solutions, one better solution than another Explain the three main steps in the implementation stage of engineering design. - Correct Answers: Draw, How do sketches help an engineer work out the details of an idea? - Correct Answers: Sketches help an engineer work out the details of an idea because sometimes it is better to just draw things out than it is to use words What is an engineer's goal when creating a sketch? - Correct Answers: An engineer's goal when creating a sketch is to see how their idea looks when it's put together on paper How many sides are visible in an isometric drawing? - Correct Answers: Three What are some objects that lend themselves to being drawn as oblique drawings? - Correct Answers: Cubes, houses, staircases Why are exploded view drawings used for assembly instructions? - Correct Answers: They are used for assembly instructions because they show how everything connects and forms the final product Patent drawings must meet the unique guidelines of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. What purpose do these standardized guidelines seve? - Correct Answers: These guidelines tell the manufacturer what information the drawing needs to include and it keeps everything uniform What is an event that can be analyzed or predicted using computer-generated animation? - Correct Answers: The path of a hurricane List three systems that are part of your school and three that are specific to a lab/classroom. Determine whether they are open-loop or closed-loop systems. - Correct Answers: Faucets (open), fire alarms (both), lights (both) List some common traits of effective systems engineers. - Correct Answers: Educated, creative, cooperative, organized Analyze how the existence of older systems presents unique challenges for engineers developing new systems. - Correct Answers: The systems have to work together, avoid patents to make sure your product is original