Mechanical Aptitude Past Paper PDF

Summary

This document contains a selection of past mechanical aptitude questions. It covers topics such as levers, pulleys, gears, and springs with various example questions to practice problem-solving techniques.

Full Transcript

**Levers** A lever consists of a bar which pivots at a fixed point known as the fulcrum. In the example shown the fulcrum is at the center of the lever. This lever provides no mechanical advantage and the force needed to lift the weight is equal to the weight itself. However, if you want to lift a...

**Levers** A lever consists of a bar which pivots at a fixed point known as the fulcrum. In the example shown the fulcrum is at the center of the lever. This lever provides no mechanical advantage and the force needed to lift the weight is equal to the weight itself. However, if you want to lift a weight that is heavier than the force applied you can move the fulcrum closer to the weight to be lifted. This affects the force required in the following way: #### w x d1 = f x d2 Where: W = weight d1 = distance from fulcrum to weight f = force needed d2 = distance from fulcrum to point where force is applied #### Example Questions 1. How much force is required to lift the weight? ![](media/image2.png) A. 40lbs B) 50lbs C) 60lbs D)70lbs #### Answer 1. C - 60lbs is needed to lift the weight. It can be calculated like this: In practice, levers are used to reduce the force needed to move an object, in other words to make the task easier. However, in mechanical aptitude questions it is possible that you will see questions where the fulcrum has been placed closer to the force than the weight. This will mean that a force greater than the weight will be required to lift it You may see more complex questions involving levers, for example, there may be more than one weight. In this case you need to work out the force required to lift each weight independently and then add them together to get the total force required. You may see more complex questions involving levers, for example, there may be more than one weight. In this case you need to work out the force required to lift each weight independently and then add them together to get the total force required. 2\. How much force is required to lift the weights? A. 25lbs B) 35lbs C) 40lbs D)45lbs #### Answer 2. B - 35lbs is needed to lift the weight. It can be calculated like this: #### Pulleys The pulleys used in this type of question consist of a grooved wheel and a block which holds it. A rope runs in the groove around the wheel and one end will be attached to either: a weight, a fixed object like the ceiling or to another pulley. For the purposes of these questions you can ignore the effect of friction #### #### Single Pulley 3\. Which weight requires the least force to move? ![](media/image4.png) A)A B) B C) Both require the same force #### Answer B -- Weight B requires a force equal to 5 Kg whereas A requires a force equal to 10 Kg. Single pulley questions are relatively straightforward. If the pulley is fixed, then the force required is equal to the weight. If the pulley moves with the weight then the force is equal to half of the weight. Another way of thinking about this is to divide the weight by the number of sections of rope supporting it to obtain the force needed to lift it. In A there is only one section of rope supporting the weight, so 10/1 = 10 Kg required to lift the weight. In B there are two sections of rope supporting the weight, so 10/2 = 5 Kg required to lift it. #### Double Pulleys There are two possible ways that two pulleys can be used. Either one pulley can be attached to the weight or neither of them can be. 3. Which weight requires the least force to move? A. A B) B C) Both require the same force #### Answer A -- Weight A requires a force equal to 5 Kg whereas weight B requires a force equal to 10 Kg. Remember to divide the weight by the number of sections of rope supporting it to get the force needed to lift the weight. #### #### Using More Than Two Pulleys 4. ![](media/image6.png)How much force is required to move the weight? A. 100 Kg B) 150 Kg C) 50 Kg D) 60 Kg **Answer** C -- The weight is 300 Kg and there are 6 sections of rope supporting it. Divide 300 by 6 to get 50 Kg. In all cases, just divide the weight by the number of sections of rope supporting it to get the force needed to lift the weight. #### #### Gears A gear is a toothed wheel or cylinder that meshes with another toothed component to transmit motion or to change speed or direction. Gears are attached to a rotating shaft turned by an external force, which is not usually illustrated in these types of question. Two gears may be connected by touching each other directly or by means of a chain or belt. If gears are connected by a chain or belt then they move in the same direction. If the gears are touching (meshed) then adjacent gears move in opposite directions. In this example the first and third gear will turn in the same direction. When there are an odd number of meshed gears then the last gear will always turn in the same direction as the first one. Meshed gears with an equal number of teeth will turn at the same speed. If they have an unequal number of teeth then the gear with the fewest teeth will turn faster. To work out how fast one is turning with respect to the other you need to count the teeth. #### Springs A spring is piece of wire or metal that can be extended or compressed by an external force but which then returns to its original length when that force is no longer applied ![](media/image9.png) There are many different types of spring including, spiral coil, leaf springs and torsion springs. Springs are used in many applications including clocks, vehicle suspensions etc. In the type of questions that you will be asked in mechanical aptitude tests, you can assume that springs behave in a linear way. That is, doubling the force applied will stretch or compress the spring twice as much. #### #### Springs in Series & Parallel If more than one spring is used then they can be arranged in one of two ways, either in series or in parallel. #### #### Example Question 5. A force of 5 Kg compresses the springs in series by 10cm.What will be the total distance that the springs in parallel are compressed? ![](media/image11.png) A. 10 cms B) 2.5 cms C) 5 cms D) 7.5 cms #### Answer 6. C -- The total force will be divided equally between the 2 springs in parallel. Since the force is divided in half, the distance moved will also be halved. The springs in series were compressed by10 cms, therefore the springs in parallel will be compressed by 5 cms. #### Electricity These diagrams are usually restricted to showing the power source, switches, loads (typically bulbs), and the path of the wiring. To answer these questions you need a basic understanding of how electricity flows around a circuit. #### Example Question 7. How many switches need to be closed to light up one bulb? ![](media/image13.png) 8. How many bulbs will light up when the switch is closed? 9. ![](media/image15.png)If bulb 1 is removed, how many bulbs will light up when the switch is closed #### Answers 7\. B -- Two switches need to be closed to complete a circuit. 8\. D -- All 4 bulbs will light up. 9\. B -- Only bulbs 3 and 4 will light up **MECHANICAL I.Q** Answer as many questions as you can in 15 minutes. Circle the letter below the question which corresponds to the correct answer. You are advised to use a calculator. 1\. How much weight is required to balance the lever? a\. 15 kg b. 5 kg c. 10 kg d. 7.5 kg e. 20 kg ![](media/image17.png)2. How far from the fulcrum does the 60 lb weight need to be to balance the lever? a\. 9 ft b. 7 ft c. 14 ft d. 12 ft. e. 10 ft. 3\. How much weight is required to balance the lever -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image19.png)4. Approximately how much force is needed to lift the weight? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5\. Approximately how much force is needed to lift the weight? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image21.png)6. If gear X turns clockwise at a constant speed of 10 rpm. How does gear Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 7\. If gear X turns clockwise at a constant speed of 10 rpm. How does gear Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image23.png)8. If bar Y moves left a constant speed. How does bar X move? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 9\. If drive wheel X rotates clockwise at a speed of 10 rpm. How does wheel Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #### ![](media/image25.png)10. If drive wheel X rotates clockwise at a speed of 10 rpm. How does wheel Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 11\. A force of 5 Kg compresses the springs in series 10cm. What will be the total distance that the springs in parallel are compressed? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image27.png)12. In the circuit shown, how many switches need to be closed to light up one bulb? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 13\. What is the approximate area of the remaining shape in square centimetres? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 14\. What is the approximate percentage of steel wasted including the center square? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 15\. Assuming minimal wastage, how many components can be produced from each 25 meter coil? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 16\. What is the approximate cost of a component if the scrap is sold at 50% of cost? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image29.png)17. How much weight is required to balance the lever? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 18\. How far from the fulcrum does the 100 lb weight need to be to just tip the lever? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image31.png)19. How much weight is required to just tip the lever? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 20\. Approximately how much force is needed to lift the weight? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image33.png)21. Approximately how much force is needed to lift the weight? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 22\. If gear X turns clockwise at a constant speed of 10 rpm. How does gear Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image35.png)23. If gear X turns clockwise at a constant speed of 10 rpm. How does gear Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 24\. If bar Y moves left a constant speed. How does bar X move? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image37.png)25. If drive wheel X rotates clockwise at a speed of 10 rpm. How does wheel Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 26\. If drive wheel X rotates clockwise at a speed of 10 rpm. How does wheel Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image39.png)27. A force of 10 Kg compresses the two springs in parallel 10cm. How much force is required to compresses three springs in parallel 10cm? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 28\. If bulb 1 is removed, how many bulbs will light up when the switch is closed? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image41.png) 29\. What is the approximate area of the component in square centimetres? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 30\. What is the approximate percentage of steel wasted? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 31\. How many components can be produced from each 30 meter coil? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 32\. What is the approximate cost of a component if the scrap is sold at 50% of cost? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 33\. How much weight is required to balance the lever? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image43.png)34. How far from the fulcrum does the 78 lb weight need to be to balance the lever? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 35\. Approximately how much force is needed to lift the weight? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image45.png)36. How far does B need to move to lift the weight 6 feet? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 37\. Which of the pulley systems shown are stable? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image47.png)38. If gear X turns clockwise at a constant speed of 10 rpm. How does gear Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 39\. If gear X turns clockwise at a constant speed of 10 rpm. How does gear Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image49.png)40. If drive wheel X rotates clockwise at a speed of 10 rpm. How does wheel Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 41\. If drive wheel X rotates clockwise at a speed of 10 rpm. How does wheel Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image51.png)42. A force of 5 Kg compresses the springs in series 10cm. What will be the total distance that the springs in parallel are compressed? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 43\. In the circuit shown, how many bulbs will light when the switch is closed? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 44\. What is the approximate total volume of the component in cubic centimetres? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 45\. What is the approximate weight of the component? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 46\. How many boxed components can be fitted into a shipping crate? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 47\. How many shipping crates can be fitted onto a palette? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image54.png)48. How much weight is required to just tip the lever? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 49\. How far from the fulcrum does the 55 lb weight need to be to just tip the lever? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 50\. Approximately how much force is needed to lift the weight? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image57.png)51. Approximately how much force is needed to lift the weight? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 52\. Approximately how much force is needed to lift the weight? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image59.png)53. If gear X turns clockwise at a constant speed of 10 rpm. How does gear Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 54\. If gear X turns clockwise at a constant speed of 10 rpm. How does gear Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image61.png)55. If drive wheel X rotates clockwise at a speed of 10 rpm. How does wheel Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 56\. If drive wheel X rotates clockwise at a speed of 10 rpm. How does wheel Y turn? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image63.png)57. A force of 15 Kg compresses the parallel in series 10cm. What will be the total distance that the springs in series are compressed? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 58\. How many bulbs will light when switches 1, 2, 3 and 4 are closed? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ![](media/image65.png) The sketch shows a component made from titanium. The density of titanium is 4.5g per cubic cm. For shipping purposes the components are packed into individual boxes before being packed into shipping crates measuring 0.24m x 0.3m x 0.4m. Shipping crates are packed on pallets to a maximum weight of 800 Kg. 59\. What is the approximate total volume of the component in cubic centimetres? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 60\. What is the approximate weight of the component? -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- **SPATIAL ABILITY** In the figures shown below, one of the shapes (A-D) is identical to the first figure but has been rotated. 61\. Which figure is identical to the first? ![](media/image67.png)62. Which figure is identical to the first? 63\. Which figure is identical to the first? ![](media/image69.png)64. Which figure is identical to the first? 65\. Which figure is identical to the first? ![](media/image71.png)66. Which group of shapes can be assembled to make the shape shown? 67\. Which group of shapes can be assembled to make the shape shown? ![](media/image73.png)68. Which group of shapes can be assembled to make the shape shown? 69\. Which shape can be assembled using all of the individual shapes shown? ![](media/image75.png)70. Which shape can be assembled using all of the individual shapes shown? Which pattern can be folded to make the cube shown? 71. ![](media/image77.png)72. 73. ![](media/image79.png) 74. 75\. Which figure is identical to the first? ![](media/image81.png)76. Which figure is identical to the first? 77\. Which figure is identical to the first? ![](media/image83.png)78. Which figure is identical to the first? 79\. Which figure is identical to the first? 80\. Which group of shapes can be assembled to make the shape shown? ![](media/image86.png)81. Which group of shapes can be assembled to make the shape shown? 82\. Which group of shapes can be assembled to make the shape shown? ![](media/image88.png)83. Which shape can be assembled using all of the individual shapes shown? 84\. Which shape can be assembled using all of the individual shapes shown? Which pattern can be folded to make the cube shown? ![](media/image90.png) 85. 86. ![](media/image92.png)87. 88. ![](media/image94.png)89. 90. **Rotated Blocks (clockwise)** +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | ![](media/i | a. | ![](media/i | c. | d. | | mage96.png) | | mage102.png | | | | 91. | | )b. | | | +=============+=============+=============+=============+=============+ | 92. | a. | b. | c. | ![](media/i | | | | | | mage110.png | | | | | | )d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 93. | ![](media/i | b. | ![](media/i | d. | | | mage118.png | | mage122.png | | | | )a. | | )![](media/ | | | | | | image123.pn | | | | | | g)c. | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 94. | a. | b. | ![](media/i | d. | | | | | mage137.png | | | ![](media/i | | | )c. | | | mage129.png | | | | | | ) | | | | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 95. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 96. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 97. | ![](media/i | b. | c. | ![](media/i | | | mage145.png | | | mage149.png | | | )a. | | | )d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 98. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 99. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 100. | a. | | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 101. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | ![](media/i | a. | ![](media/i | ![](media/i | ![](media/i | | mage153.png | | mage159.png | mage161.png | mage165.png | | )102. | | )b. | )c. | )![](media/ | | | | | | image165.pn | | | | | | g)d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 103. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ ![](media/image169.png) +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 104. | ![](media/i | b. | ![](media/i | ![](media/i | | | mage173.png | | mage177.png | mage179.png | | | )a. | | )c. | ) | +=============+=============+=============+=============+=============+ | 105. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | **UNDERSTAN | a. | b. | c. | d. | | DING | | | | | | PATTERNS** | | | | | | | | | | | | 106. | | | | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 107. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 108. | ![](media/i | b. | c. | d. | | | mage181.png | | | | | | )a. | | | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 109. | a. | b. | ![](media/i | d. | | | | | mage191.png | | | | ![](media/i | | )c. | | | | mage187.png | | | | | | ) | | | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 110. | a. | ![](media/i | c. | d. | | | | mage195.png | | | | | | )b. | | | +=============+=============+=============+=============+=============+ | 111. | a. | b. | c. | d. | | | | | | | | ![](media/i | | | | | | mage203.png | | | | | | ) | | | | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 112. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 113. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 114. | a. | b. | c. | d. | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ | 115. | a. | b. | ![](media/i | | | | | | mage213.png | | | ![](media/i | | | )c. | | | mage207.png | | | | | | ) | | | | | +-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+ +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **SPATIAL/MECHANICAL/ | | | | ABSTRACT | | | | ANSWER KEY** | | | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | 1\. B | 41\. A | 81\. D | | | | | | 2\. D | 42\. C | 82\. D | | | | | | 3\. E | 43\. C | 83\. C | | | | | | 4\. D | 44\. A | 84\. A | | | | | | 5\. D | 45\. B | 85\. C | | | | | | 6\. B | 46\. C | 86\. D | | | | | | 7\. D | 47\. E | 87\. D | | | | | | 8\. B | 48\. C | 88\. C | | | | | | 9\. C | 49\. E | 89\. B | | | | | | 10\. E | 50\. C | 90\. C | | | | | | 11\. C | 51\. B | 91\. C | | | | | | 12\. D | 52\. D | 92\. D | | | | | | 13\. A | 53\. E | 93\. B | | | | | | 14\. C | 54\. E | 94\. A | | | | | | 15\. B | 55\. B | 95\. B | | | | | | 16\. C | 56\. D | 96\. B | | | | | | 17\. B | 57\. A | 97\. C | | | | | | 18\. D | 58\. E | 98\. C | | | | | | 19\. B | 59\. A | 99\. A | | | | | | 20\. E | 60\. C | 100\. A | | | | | | 21\. A | 61\. C | 101\. C | | | | | | 22\. C | 62\. B | 102\. A | | | | | | 23\. A | 63\. A | 103\. B | | | | | | 24\. B | 64\. D | 104\. D | | | | | | 25\. D | 65\. B | 105\. C | | | | | | 26\. A | 66\. C | 106\. B | | | | | | 27\. A | 67\. B | 107\. C | | | | | | 28\. E | 68\. B | 108\. A | | | | | | 29\. D | 69\. B | 109\. B | | | | | | 30\. B | 70\. D | 110\. B | | | | | | 31\. E | 71\. A | 111\. C | | | | | | 32\. B | 72\. B | 112\. D | | | | | | 33\. B | 73\. A | 113\. A | | | | | | 34\. B | 74\. B | 114\. C | | | | | | 35\. B | 75\. C | 115\. A | | | | | | 36\. A | 76\. A | | | | | | | 37\. E | 77\. D | | | | | | | 38\. E | 78\. C | | | | | | | 39\. C | 79\. B | | | | | | | 40\. C | 80\. A | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

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