41. What is the primary function of a bridge rectifier?
Answer: A bridge rectifier converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) by
allowing current to flow in only one direction.
42. What is entropy in thermodynamics?
Answer: Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. In
thermodynamics, it represents the amount of energy unavailable for doing work.
43. What is the purpose of a load-bearing wall in construction?
Answer: A load-bearing wall supports the weight of the structure above it, transferring
the load to the foundation, unlike non-load-bearing walls that only serve as partitions.
44. What is the principle behind a hydraulic system?
Answer: A hydraulic system works on Pascal's Law, which states that pressure applied to
a fluid in a confined space is transmitted equally in all directions, allowing small force
inputs to generate large outputs.
45. What are piezoelectric materials, and how are they used?
Answer: Piezoelectric materials generate an electrical charge when mechanical stress is
applied. They are used in sensors, actuators, and energy-harvesting devices.
46. What is a flywheel, and what is its purpose?
Answer: A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device that stores kinetic energy and
releases it to smooth out fluctuations in engine or machine operation.
47. What is tensile testing?
Answer: Tensile testing is a method used to determine how materials react under pulling
forces, providing data on tensile strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity.
48. What is the function of an insulator in electrical systems?
Answer: An insulator prevents the flow of electrical current, protecting users and
equipment from electrical shock and preventing energy loss in circuits.
49. What is CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)?
Answer: CFD is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms
to solve and analyze problems involving fluid flows, often used in simulations of airflow
and heat transfer.
50. What is the main advantage of a suspension bridge over other types of
bridges?
Answer: Suspension bridges can span longer distances with fewer supports, making them
ideal for spanning deep valleys or large bodies of water.
51. What is the difference between static and dynamic loads?
Answer: Static loads are constant or slowly applied, while dynamic loads involve rapid
changes, vibrations, or forces that vary over time, such as those caused by wind or
earthquakes.
52. What is shear stress in materials?
Answer: Shear stress is a force that acts parallel to the surface of a material, causing one
part of the material to slide past another, potentially leading to failure.
53. What is an actuator, and where is it used?
Answer: An actuator is a mechanical device that converts energy (usually electrical or
hydraulic) into motion. It is commonly used in robotics, automated machinery, and
vehicles.
54. What are reinforced concrete structures?
Answer: Reinforced concrete structures are made by embedding steel reinforcement bars
(rebar) into concrete to improve its tensile strength and durability.
55. What is the purpose of a distillation column in chemical engineering?
Answer: A distillation column is used to separate mixtures based on differences in
boiling points, commonly used in the production of fuels, chemicals, and purified
substances.
56. What is gear ratio, and why is it important in mechanical systems?
Answer: Gear ratio is the ratio of the number of teeth on two interacting gears. It
determines the speed and torque output in a mechanical system, important for controlling
performance in engines and machines.
57. What is the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit?
Answer: In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end, so the current flows
through each component sequentially. In a parallel circuit, components are connected
across the same voltage, allowing current to flow through multiple paths.
58. What is a BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor)?
Answer: A BJT is a type of transistor that uses both electron and hole charge carriers and
is commonly used for amplification and switching in electronic devices.
59. What is the purpose of cathodic protection?
Answer: Cathodic protection is a technique used to prevent corrosion on metal surfaces
by making the metal the cathode of an electrochemical cell, commonly used in pipelines
and ship hulls.
60. What is the difference between laminar and turbulent flow?
Answer: Laminar flow is smooth and orderly with fluid particles moving in parallel
paths, while turbulent flow is chaotic with eddies and vortices, often occurring at high
flow velocities or Reynolds numbers.
