Build and Design
This type of structure is hollow and lightweight.
What is a shell structure?
A push or pull on an object is called this.
What is a force?
This point determines how balanced an object is.
What is the centre of gravity?
A ramp is an example of this type of simple machine.
What is an inclined plane?
This type of load changes, like people moving in a building.
What is a live or dynamic load?
This structure is made of a skeleton or framework.
What is a frame structure?
Wind pushing on a building or gravity pulling on the Artemis II moon mission is this type of force.
What is an external force?
A structure with a low centre of gravity is more stable or less stable?
What is more stable?
The point a lever rotates around is called this.
What is a fulcrum?
Energy lost as heat or sound is called this
What is energy loss (or dissipation)?
A beehive or a turtle shell would be classified as this type of structure.
What is a shell structure?
Forces inside a structure that hold it together are called this.
What are internal forces?
When both sides of a structure are equal, it is called this.
What is symmetry?
Mechanical Advantage tells you this about a machine.
How much it reduces effort / increases force
Give one reason a structure might fail AND one reason a system might lose efficiency.
Structure: poor design/load/materials; System: friction/heat loss
This is a group of parts working together for a purpose.
What is a system?
Work is done when a force moves an object over this.
What is a distance (displacement)?
Why does a wide base improve stability AND help systems remain safe?
Prevents tipping, spreads weight, improves balance
A machine has an input force of 50 N and an output force of 200 N. What is the MA?
What is 4?
A bridge collapses after years of use. Explain TWO causes using BOTH structure and system thinking.
Material fatigue, increased loads, poor maintenance, energy stress over time
Engineers consider this when choosing materials so they don’t harm the environment long-term.
What is sustainability?
A worker pushes a box but it does not move. How much work is done (in the unit of measurement) and why?
Remember: Work = Force x Distance
0 joules , because there is no movement
A crane is holding a 400 N load, and wind pushes sideways with a force of 250 N. Explain how these forces together affect the crane’s stability.
What is: The combined forces can shift the centre of gravity and increase the chance of tipping, especially if the base is not wide enough to support them?
Why might a machine have a high mechanical advantage but still not be very efficient?
Energy lost (friction, heat), so not all energy is useful
A machine uses 500 J of input energy but only produces 350 J of useful output energy. What is its efficiency?
What is: 70%?
(350 ÷ 500 × 100)