Engineering Types and Force Concepts

Types of Engineers

• Engineers apply scientific principles to analyze, design, invent, build and solve problems.
• Five types of engineers are: Nuclear, Technological, Mechanical, Electrical, and Environmental.
• Nuclear engineers manage nuclear materials.
• Technological engineers design and develop technology solutions (hardware and software).
• Mechanical engineers design and maintain machines (power generation and transport).
• Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems (circuits, motors, power generation).
• Environmental engineers address environmental challenges (water treatment, air quality, ecological restoration).

Force

• A force is a push or pull that can change an object's motion, direction, or shape.
• Forces can cause objects to speed up, slow down, stop, or change direction.

Contact Force

• A contact force is a force applied by objects that are touching.
• Example: Friction (e.g., someone kicking a ball).

Non-Contact Force

• A non-contact force acts on an object without physical contact.
• Example: Gravity (e.g., a ball rolling down a hill).
• Gravity pulls objects towards each other.

Motion

• Motion is a change in an object's position over time.

• Motion occurs when a force is applied to an object.

• Types of motion:

  • Linear: Straight line movement (e.g., a train on a track).
  • Oscillating: Back-and-forth movement (e.g., a swing, a clock pendulum).
  • Rotary: Circular motion (e.g., a wheel).
  • Reciprocating: Repeating back-and-forth motion

Simple Machines

• Lever: A rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point (fulcrum). Used to lift heavy objects with less force.
• Pulley: Used to lift objects vertically, distributing weight.

Indigenous Engineering

• Traditional tools relied on manual labor, with limited scope and efficiency.
• Examples include spinning tops, toy spears, and toy boomerangs.
• Modern machine tools are powered by electricity.

Wet Sanding Process

• The wet sanding process uses low-grit sandpaper to smooth the edges of acrylic.
• Rinse the sandpaper to prevent clogging.
• Use progressively higher grit sandpaper (400 to 600) for a smoother finish.
• Safety benefit: Eliminates airborne dust.
• Safety requirement: Wear a mask.
• Technique: Start with low grit sandpaper, then higher grit sandpaper for a smoother finish.
• Necessary protective measure: Use protective paper for the surface to prevent scratches.

Laser Cutting

• Laser cutting uses a laser beam to heat and melt or vaporize materials.
• Benefits: Precision, clean edges, speed, and efficiency.
• Materials that can be cut: Acrylic, timber, metal, fabric, cardboard.

Acrylic Properties

• Strengths: Easy to cut, lightweight, durable, transparent, and polishable.
• Weaknesses: Scratches easily, cracks under impact, and sensitive to certain chemicals.
• Uses: Jewellery, lenses, and furniture.

Potential Energy

• Potential energy is stored energy due to position, properties, and forces.
• Examples: Books on a shelf, a stretched rubber band, energy stored in food, fuel or batteries.

Kinetic Energy

• Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.
• Examples: Kicking a ball, a moving car, or punching.

This quiz covers fundamental concepts related to various types of engineers and the principles of force. Understand the roles of nuclear, technological, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineers while exploring the definitions of contact and non-contact forces. Test your knowledge on how these forces affect motion.