 What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical engineering is the discipline that applies engineering, physics, engineering mathematics, and materials

science principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. 
Or
The branch of engineering dealing with the design, construction, and use of machines.

 What are Carnot Cycle, Otto Cycle, and Diesel Cycle?

It is an idealized model of a thermodynamic system for a heat engine that is now known as the Carnot cycle. Carnot
developed the foundation of the second law of thermodynamics, and is often described as the "Father of
thermodynamics."

The Carnot cycle consists of the following four processes:

I. A reversible isothermal gas expansion process. In this process, the ideal gas in the system absorbs qin amount
heat from a heat source at a high temperature
Th, expands and does work on surroundings. 
II. A reversible adiabatic gas expansion process.
In this process, the system is thermally
insulated. The gas continues to expand and do
work on surroundings, which causes the
system to cool to a lower temperature, Tl.
III. A reversible isothermal gas compression
process. In this process, surroundings do work
to the gas at Tl, and causes a loss of heat, qout. 
IV. A reversible adiabatic gas compression
process. In this process, the system is
thermally insulated. Surroundings continue to
do work to the gas, which causes the
temperature to rise back to Th.

Figure  11: An ideal gas-piston model of the Carnot cycle.

The P-V diagram of the Carnot cycle is shown in

Figure 22. In isothermal processes I and III, ∆U=0
because ∆T=0. In adiabatic processes II and IV, q=0. 
 Figure  22: A P-V diagram of the Carnot Cycle.

An Otto cycle is an idealized thermodynamic

cycle that describes the functioning of a
typical spark ignition piston engine. The Otto cycle
is a description of what happens to a mass of gas
as it is subjected to changes of pressure,
temperature, volume, addition of heat, and removal
of heat.

- Process 0–1 a mass of air is drawn into

piston/cylinder arrangement at constant
pressure.
- Process 1–2 is an adiabatic (isentropic) compression of the charge as the
piston moves from bottom dead centre (BDC) to top dead centre (TDC).
- Process 2–3 is a constant-volume heat transfer to the working gas from an external source while the piston is at
top dead centre. This process is intended to represent the ignition of the fuel-air mixture and the subsequent rapid
burning.
- Process 3–4 is an adiabatic (isentropic) expansion (power stroke).
- Process 4–1 completes the cycle by a constant-volume process in which heat is rejected from the air while the
piston is at bottom dead centre.
- Process 1–0 the mass of air is released to the atmosphere in a constant
pressure process.

The Diesel cycle is a combustion process of a reciprocating internal combustion

engine. In it, fuel is ignited by heat generated during the compression of air in the
combustion chamber, into which fuel is then injected.

- Process 1 to 2 is isentropic compression of the fluid (blue)

- Process 2 to 3 is reversible constant pressure heating (red)
- Process 3 to 4 is isentropic expansion (yellow)
- Process 4 to 1 is reversible constant volume cooling (green)

 Explain simple vapour compression cycle in refrigerator.

Refrigeration may be defined as lowering the temperature of an
enclosed space by removing heat from that space and transferring it
elsewhere. A device that performs this function may also be called
an air conditioner, refrigerator, air source heat pump, geothermal
heat pump or chiller.
The vapor-compression uses a circulating liquid refrigerant as the
medium which absorbs and removes heat from the space to be
cooled and subsequently rejects that heat elsewhere. Figure 1
depicts a typical, single-stage vapor-compression system. All such
systems have four components: a compressor, a condenser,
a thermal expansion valve (also called a throttle valve or metering
device), and an evaporator. Circulating refrigerant enters the
compressor in the thermodynamic state known as a saturated
vapor and is compressed to a higher pressure, resulting in a higher
temperature as well. The hot, compressed vapor is then in the
 thermodynamic state known as a superheated vapor and it is at a temperature and pressure at which it can
be condensed with either cooling water or cooling air flowing across the coil or tubes. This is where the circulating
refrigerant rejects heat from the system and the rejected heat is carried away by either the water or the air (whichever
may be the case).
The condensed liquid refrigerant, in the thermodynamic state known as a saturated liquid, is next routed through an
expansion valve where it undergoes an abrupt reduction in pressure. That pressure reduction results in the adiabatic flash
evaporation of a part of the liquid refrigerant. The auto-refrigeration effect of the adiabatic flash evaporation lowers the
temperature of the liquid and vapor refrigerant mixture to where it is colder than the temperature of the enclosed space to
be refrigerated.
The cold mixture is then routed through the coil or tubes in the evaporator. A fan circulates the warm air in the enclosed
space across the coil or tubes carrying the cold refrigerant liquid and vapor mixture. That warm air evaporates the liquid
part of the cold refrigerant mixture. At the same time, the circulating air is cooled and thus lowers the temperature of the
enclosed space to the desired temperature. The evaporator is where the circulating refrigerant absorbs and removes heat
which is subsequently rejected in the condenser and transferred elsewhere by the water or air used in the condenser.
To complete the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator is again a saturated vapor and is routed
back into the compressor.
Refrigerants – Freon, CFCs, HCFCs etc.

 Which compressor is usually used in AC?

Reciprocating compressors

Reciprocating piston compressors have an arrangement of

piston and cylinder which is quite similar to the engine of an
automobile. The piston has “back and forth” motion that
compresses the gas and then discharges it.

Pros- easy maintenance, works well at high P

Cons- noisy and vibrates, High T air comes out

Rotary air compressor-

Consists of a pair of rotors of a special design having

very little clearance between each other. These rotors
rotate in opposite directions and the air is passed thru
them to emerge at a higher pressure than before.

Pros- better for big offices, produce lesser noise, Low T

air comes out
Cons- more expensive,

 Why don't CI engines need a spark plug?

Diesel is used in a high-compression engine. Air is compressed until it is heated above the auto ignition temperature of
diesel. Then the fuel is injected as a high pressure spray. There is no ignition source. As a result, diesel is required to
have a high flash point and a low auto ignition temperature. The flash-point of a fuel is the lowest temperature at which it
can form an ignitable mix with air. The high flash point in diesel fuel means that it does not burn as easily as gasoline,
which is a safety factor. Too low of a flash point is a fire hazard because ignition may continue and lead to explosion.

 What are MPFI and TPFC systems?

MPFI stands for Multi Point Fuel Injection. In this system fuel is injected into the intake ports which is situated just
upstream of each cylinders intake valve. These systems are sequential systems, in which injection is timed to coincide
with intake stroke of each cylinder. TPFC stands for transient power fuel control system. In this type of systems constant
choke carburetor is used. The salient feature of this carburetor is that it provides jerk less engine raise. In these systems,
throttle valve creates vacuum which opens the slide which controls the air fuel ratio through a tapered jet.
Single-point injection (SPI) uses a single injector at the throttle body (the same location as was used by carburetors).
It was introduced in the 1940s in large aircraft engines (then called the pressure carburetor) and in the 1980s in the
automotive world (called Throttle-body Injection by General Motors, Central Fuel Injection by Ford, PGM-CARB by Honda,
and EGI by Mazda). Since the fuel passes through the intake runners (like a carburetor system), it is called a "wet
manifold system".
The justification for single-point injection was low cost. Many of the carburetor's supporting components - such as the air
cleaner, intake manifold, and fuel line routing - could be reused. This postponed the redesign and tooling costs of these
components. Single-point injection was used extensively on American-made passenger cars and light trucks during 1980-
1995, and in some European cars in the early and mid-1990s.
Continuous injection
In a continuous injection system, fuel flows at all times from the fuel injectors, but at a variable flow rate. This is in contrast
to most fuel injection systems, which provide fuel during short pulses of varying duration, with a constant rate of flow
during each pulse. Continuous injection systems can be multi-point or single-point, but not direct.
The most common automotive continuous injection system is Bosch's K-Jetronic, introduced in 1974. K-Jetronic was used
for many years between 1974 and the mid-1990s by BMW, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mercedes-
Benz, Volkswagen, Ford, Porsche, Audi, Saab, DeLorean, and Volvo. Chrysler used a continuous fuel injection system on
the 1981-1983 Imperial.
In piston aircraft engines, continuous-flow fuel injection is the most common type. In contrast to automotive fuel injection
systems, aircraft continuous flow fuel injection is all mechanical, requiring no electricity to operate. Two common types
exist: the Bendix RSA system, and the TCM system. The Bendix system is a direct descendant of the pressure
carburetor. However, instead of having a discharge valve in the barrel, it uses a flow divider mounted on top of the engine,
which controls the discharge rate and evenly distributes the fuel to stainless steel injection lines to the intake ports of each
cylinder. The TCM system is even simpler. It has no venturi, no pressure chambers, no diaphragms, and no discharge
valve. The control unit is fed by a constant-pressure fuel pump. The control unit simply uses a butterfly valve for the air,
which is linked by a mechanical linkage to a rotary valve for the fuel. Inside the control unit is another restriction, which
controls the fuel mixture. The pressure drop across the restrictions in the control unit controls the amount of fuel flow, so
that fuel flow is directly proportional to the pressure at the flow divider. In fact, most aircraft that use the TCM fuel injection
system feature a fuel flow gauge that is actually a pressure gauge calibrated in gallons per hour or pounds per hour of
fuel.
Central port injection
From 1992 to 1996 General Motors implemented a system called Central Port Injection or Central Port Fuel Injection. The
system uses tubes with poppet valves from a central injector to spray fuel at each intake port rather than the central
throttle body. Fuel pressure is similar to a single-point injection system. CPFI (used from 1992 to 1995) is a batch-
fire system, while CSFI (from 1996) is a sequential system.
Multipoint fuel injection
Multipoint fuel injection (MPI), also called port fuel injection (PFI), injects fuel into the intake ports just upstream of each
cylinder's intake valve, rather than at a central point within an intake manifold. MPI systems can be sequential, in which
injection is timed to coincide with each cylinder's intake stroke; batched, in which fuel is injected to the cylinders in
groups, without precise synchronization to any particular cylinder's intake stroke; or simultaneous, in which fuel is
injected at the same time to all the cylinders. The intake is only slightly wet, and typical fuel pressure runs between 40-60
psi.
Many modern EFI systems use sequential MPI; however, in newer gasoline engines, direct injection systems are
beginning to replace sequential ones.
Direct injection: In a direct injection engine, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber as opposed to injection before
the intake valve (petrol engine) or a separate pre-combustion chamber (diesel engine).[32]
In a common rail system, the fuel from the fuel tank is supplied to the common header (called the accumulator). This fuel
is then sent through tubing to the injectors, which inject it into the combustion chamber. The header has a high pressure
relief valve to maintain the pressure in the header and return the excess fuel to the fuel tank. The fuel is sprayed with the
help of a nozzle that is opened and closed with a needle valve, operated with a solenoid. When the solenoid is not
activated, the spring forces the needle valve into the nozzle passage and prevents the injection of fuel into the cylinder.
The solenoid lifts the needle valve from the valve seat, and fuel under pressure is sent in the engine cylinder. Third-
generation common rail diesels use piezoelectric injectors for increased precision, with fuel pressures up to 1,800 bar or
26,000 psi.
Direct fuel injection costs more than indirect injection systems: the injectors are exposed to more heat and pressure, so
more costly materials and higher-precision electronic management systems are required.
 TPFC stands for Transient Power Fuel Control system used in carburettors to improve the throttle response.
Carburettors work on the Venturi Effect similar to how sprayers work. A sudden flow of air creates a pressure drop
pulling the fuel from a thin tube which mixes with air atomising them thoroughly.
Constant Velocity carburettors are now commonly used in most vehicles. These carbs maintain constant velocity at the
Venturi, producing optimum air-fuel ratio. But they have a slight lag when the throttle is opened suddenly.
This is where the TPFC shines, they have a syringe mechanism which squirts fuel when throttle is opened suddenly
revving the engine instantaneously.
Though they make engine quite livelier, they increased the emission levels and was subsequently discontinued as fuel
injected systems replaced carburettors.

 State the laws of Thermodynamics.

- The first law, also known as Law of Conservation of Energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in
an isolated system.

- The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of any isolated system always increases.

- The third law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the
temperature approaches absolute zero.
absolute zero: The lowest temperature that is theoretically possible.
entropy: A thermodynamic property that is the measure of a system’s thermal energy per unit of temperature that is
unavailable for doing useful work.

The four laws of thermodynamics are:

- Zeroth law of thermodynamics: If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in
thermal equilibrium with each other. This law helps define the concept of temperature.
- First law of thermodynamics: When energy passes, as work, as heat, or with matter, into or out from a system, the
system's internal energy changes in accord with the law of conservation of energy. Equivalently, perpetual motion
machines of the first kind (machines that produce work with no energy input) are impossible.
- Second law of thermodynamics: In a natural thermodynamic process, the sum of the entropies of the
interacting thermodynamic systems increases. Equivalently, perpetual motion machines of the second
kind (machines that spontaneously convert thermal energy into mechanical work) are impossible.
- Third law of thermodynamics: The entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the temperature
approaches absolute zero. With the exception of non-crystalline solids (glasses) the entropy of a system at
absolute zero is typically close to zero.

 What is triple point of water?

Triple point. The temperature and pressure at which a substance can exist in equilibrium in the liquid, solid, and
gaseous states. The triple point of pure water is at 0.01°C (273.16K, 32.01°F) and 4.58 mm (611.2Pa) of mercury and is
used to calibrate thermometers.

 What is a differential and how does it work?

The differential has three jobs:
- To aim the engine power at the wheels
- To act as the final gear reduction in the vehicle, slowing the rotational speed of the transmission one final time
before it hits the wheels
- To transmit the power to the wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds (This is the one that
earned the differential its name.)

For the non-driven wheels on your car -- the front wheels on a rear-wheel drive car, the back wheels on a front-wheel
drive car -- this is not an issue. There is no connection between them, so they spin independently. But the driven
wheels are linked together so that a single engine and transmission can turn both wheels. If your car did not have a
differential, the wheels would have to be locked together, forced to spin at the same speed. This would make turning
difficult and hard on your car: For the car to be able to turn, one tire would have to slip. With modern tires and
concrete roads, a great deal of force is required to make a tire slip. That force would have to be transmitted through
the axle from one wheel to another, putting a heavy strain on the axle components.

The differential - is a device that splits the engine torque two ways, allowing each output to spin at a different speed.
 The differential is found on all modern cars and trucks, and also in many all-wheel-drive (full-time four-wheel-drive)
vehicles. These all-wheel-drive vehicles need a differential between each set of drive wheels, and they need one between
the front and the back wheels as well, because the front wheels travel a different distance through a turn than the rear
wheels.

Part-time four-wheel-drive systems don't have a differential between the front and rear wheels; instead, they are locked
together so that the front and rear wheels have to turn at the same average speed. This is why these vehicles are hard to
turn on concrete when the four-wheel-drive system is engaged.

 Explain 4-stroke and 2-stroke engines.

S.N. Two Stroke Engine Four Stroke Engine

It has one revolution of
crankshaft within one power
1. stroke.
It can generate high torque
compare to 4 strokes
2. engine.
It uses port to inlet and outlet
3. of fuel.
2 stroke engines require
lighter flywheel compare to
other engines because it
generates more balanced
force due to one revolution
4. for one power stroke.
The charge is partially burn
and mix with the burn gases
during inlet. It is due to port
5. mechanism.
Easy lubrication due to
lubrication oil mix with the
6. fuel.
More lubricating oil requires
because some oil burns with
7. fuel.
These engines give less
8. thermal efficiency.
It has high power to weight
9. ratio compare to others.
10. It creates more noise.
Two stroke engines are less
efficient and generate more
11. smoke.
These engines are
12. comparatively cheaper.
These engines are easy to
13. manufacture.
These engines are generally
14. lighter.
These are mostly used in
15. ships, scooters etc.
16. Due to poor lubrication more
It has two revolution of
crankshaft between one power
strokes.
It generates less torque due to
2 revolution of crankshaft
between one power strokes.
It uses valve to inlet and outlet.
It requires heavy flywheel
because it generates unbalance
force due to two revolutions for
one power stroke.
In four stroke engine charge is
fully burn and does not mix with
burn charge in ideal condition.
Comparatively complicated
lubrication.
Comparatively less lubricating
oil requires.
These engines give more
thermal efficiency.
4 stroke engines have less
power to weight ratio.
It is less noisy.
Four stroke engines are more
efficient and generate less
smoke.
These engines are expensive
due to valve and lubrication
mechanism.
These engines are
comparatively hard to
manufacture.
These engines are
comparatively heavier than 2
strokes due to heavy flywheel
and valve mechanism.
These engines mostly used in
car, truck, and other
automobiles.
Less wear and tear occurs.
 wear and tear occurs

 What are the differences between SI and CI engines?

S.no Parameter SI Engine CI Engine

It is an engine in which the spark is It is and engine in which heat of compressed
1. Definition used to burn the fuel. air is used to burn the fuel.
2. Fuel used Petrol is used as fuel. Diesel is used as fuel.
3. Operating cycle It operates on Otto cycle. It operates on Diesel cycle.
4. Compression ratio Low compression ratio. (6-10) High compression ratio. (16-20)
5. Thermal efficiency High thermal efficiency. Less thermal efficiency.
Spark plug is used to produce spark Heat of compressed air is used for the
6. Method of ignition for the ignition. ignition.
7. Engine Speed High speed engines. Low speed engines.
Low pressure is generated after High pressure is generated
8. Pressure generated combustion. after combustion.
Constant parameter
9. during cycle Constant volume cycle. Constant pressure cycle.
10. Intake Air + fuel. Only air.
11. Weight of engine Si engine has less weight. CI engine are heavier.
12. Noise production It produces less noise. It produces more noise.
Production of
13. hydrocarbon Less Hydrocarbon is produced. More hydrocarbon is produced.
14. Starting Starting of SI engine is easy. Starting of CI engine is difficult.
15. Maintenance cost Low High
16. Vibration problem Less Very High
17. Cost of engine Less cost High cost
18. Volume to power ratio Less High
19. Fuel supply Carburetor Injector
It is used in light commercial It is used in heavy duty vehicles likes bus,
20. application vehicles like motorcycle, cars etc. trucks, ships etc.

 What is the difference between turbo charging and supercharging?

Superchargers and Turbochargers are known as forced induction systems  where air is forcefully pushed
into the cylinder of the engine to increase the efficiency.
Diagram showing working of superchargers used in automobiles.
In simple words, superchargers
are pressure boosting devices
which supplies air at high
pressure to the engine. It is
driven by the engine itself &
power is transmitted via a
friction belt to the device.
The power is utilized by the
device (compressor) to
compress the air & then delivers
the pressurized air to the engine
via intake manifold. Various
types of supercharger such as
centrifugal type, root’s type & vane type are available in the market. Application of these types depend
upon the requirement of the pressure and available space to be installed.

Working of a turbocharger
Turbochargers have the same function of a supercharger
except that they don’t draw power from the engine.
Turbochargers get their power from exhaust gases. The
engine produces huge amount of exhaust gases carrying
enormous heat energy. This energy usually gets wasted
since they are released directly to atmosphere.
Turbochargers utilise this energy by letting the exhaust
gases pass through a turbine. The turbine produces
work which drives a compressor. The compressor then
compresses air & supplies it to the engine at high
pressure.
SUPERCHARGER
TURBOCHARGERS
S

Superchargers are Turbos are devices consisting both-

basically turbine & a compressor mounted on
compressors. same shaft.

Extra power is to be Doesn't need extra power.

supplied.

They draw power They extract their power from the

from engine. exhaust gases.

They are connected Since they are a combination of turbine

to the intake & a compressor, the turbine is
manifold of the connected to exhaust pipe while
vehicle. compressor to intake.

Suitable for engines Suitable for engines with higher

with smaller displacements.
displacements.

Superchargers start Turbos won't start operating until

working as soon as sufficient amount of exhaust gases are
the engine starts. produced.

Less efficient, since More efficient, as it draws it's power

it demands extra from the exhaust gases.
power.

Superchargers cost Turbos are costly.

less.

Easy maintenance. Difficult to maintain, since lot of heat

gets generated & also needs frequent
lubrication.

No lag, Power Turbo takes time to spin up to speed.

delivery is Hence, there's a lag.
immediate.

Greater acceleration Higher speeds could be achieved.

could be achieved.
 What are Conduction, Convection and Radiation?
 Explain the concept of a black body.
A black body or blackbody is an idealized physical body that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation, regardless
of frequency or angle of incidence. A white body is one with a "rough surface [that] reflects all incident rays completely
and uniformly in all directions.

 Explain Stephan-Boltzmann Laws, Kirchoff's Law, Planck's Law and Wien's Displacement Law.

Planck's law describes the spectral density of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a black body in thermal equilibrium at
a given temperature T, when there is no net flow of matter or energy between the body and its environment.

Law: Every physical body spontaneously and continuously emits electromagnetic radiation and the spectral radiance of a

body, Bν, describes the amount of energy it emits at different radiation frequencies. It is the power emitted per unit area of
the body, per unit solid angle of emission, per unit frequency.

The Stefan–Boltzmann law describes the power radiated from a black body in terms of its temperature. Specifically, the
Stefan–Boltzmann law states that the total energy radiated per unit surface area of a black body across all
wavelengths per unit time (also known as the black-body radiant emittance) is directly proportional to the fourth power of
the black body's thermodynamic temperature T:

 Explain lubrication system in IC engines.

 What is SAE?

SAE International, initially established as the Society of Automotive Engineers, is a U.S.-based, globally

active professional association and standards developing organization for engineering professionals in various industries.
Principal emphasis is placed on transport industries such as automotive, aerospace, and commercial vehicles.

 How to identify two balls having same external radius and weight, one hollow and the other
solid, of different materials?
 Explain the principle of Watt's Governor.
 Differentiate between governors and fly wheel.
 What is ASHRAE?
 What are the different types of turbines and compressors?
 What are the new trends in IC engine? What do you know about CDI, ball piston, camless
engines like GDI, VTEC?
 How does the number of valves per cylinder affect the cycle?
 How can you differentiate between the inlet and outlet ports?
 What is ABS, GPS, SBC, SOHC, and DOHC?
 Explain different types of gears and their applications.
 Certain vehicles can be started by keeping the gears engaged, while certain others cannot be -
explain?
 Tell us about different types of manufacturing processes.
 How do you polish a ball bearing?
 Differentiate between lathe and a milling machine.
 How will you machine a square cross-section in lathe?
 What are the different processes carried out on a lathe?
 What are CNC and DNC machines? Compare.
 What is the mode of manufacture of common articles like chairs, toothpaste tubes, and pens?
 What are different cutting tool materials and composition?
 Tell about cooling fluids and their functions.
 Differentiate between shaper and planer.
 Explain heat treatment processes.
 What do you mean by bending moment diagram? Explain its significance.
 What is Hook's law?
 What is Poisson's ratio? Between glass and rubber for which material it is more and why?
 Can Poisson's ratio be negative?
 Explain bending moment equation and torque equation.
 Explain crippling load with equations.
 What are the principal stresses and strains?
 What is Euler's theory?
 What is actor of safety and its significance in design and manufacturing?
 What is Endurance limit?
 How is flow measurement in pipe channel done?
 What is water hammer?
 What is the function of surge tank?
 Explain boundary layer theory and separation.
 What is Magnus effect?
 Explain Mach number and its significance.
 What is draft tube and explain its application?
 How does a centrifugal pump work?
 What is cavitation? What is its use?
 Explain the working of reciprocating pumps.
 Explain slip in reciprocating pumps?
 What is an air vessel and explain its functions?
 Explain the working of hydraulic ram, accumulator, lift.
 What is the function of pen stock?
 Apply Bernoulli's theorem to an aircraft.
 Compare the constructional details of a petrol and diesel engine.
 Which gear is used to obtain maximum speed ratio?
 Which law of thermodynamics is applicable when you inflate a tyre?
 Why isn't the earth expanding?
 Differentiate between absolute and kinematics viscosity?
 Is turbo charging possible in petrol engines?
 Explain mechatronics?
 Explain the various processes required to manufacture an air conditioner or a boiler.
 Draw the Fe-C equilibrium diagram.
 What are the different types of layouts?
 Which is the type of lighting best suited for Software Company?
 Tell about head and turbine for different types of hydroelectric stations.
 What electives have you taken and why?
 Where does the future of mechanical engineering lie?
 What is Six Sigma?
Important topics in Mechanical Engineering
Basics of thermodynamics such as air cycles, laws, and curves. Hydraulic machines, types of turbines, pumps, indicator
diagrams etc., automobiles and engines (just basic stuff). Theory of machines, basic mechanisms, gyroscopes, flywheels,
governor, differentials, gears etc. material science, Fe diagram, hardening, heat treatment etc.

Remaining-

 Which is your favourite car and why?

 Which is your favourite two-wheeler and why?
 When we start a vehicle, exhaust smoke appears white. Why?
 What are the various thermodynamic systems? What are the basic definitions?
 What is an indicator diagram? What are the features and advantages? How is it different from p-
v diagram?
 What are knocking detonation and pre-ignition? What are the preventive measures adopted?
 What is meant by Jet Propulsion? Ramjet, Scramjet, Turbojet, Turboprop, and Turbo fan?
 Explain common automobile specifications.
 Explain refrigerator system.
 What are the refrigerants used in refrigerators, AC, water coolers, walk-in coolers, and freezers?
 How are AC systems like window AC, split AC, and central AC different from each other?
 What are Heat Exchangers?


Q: EXPLAIN THE REASON THAT WHY THE TYRES ARE ALWAYS BLACK IN COLOUR. IS THIS PHENOMENA
RELATED TO THE HEAT CONDUCTION?
Answer: Tyres colour is black due to the proportion of carbon mixed in it during the vulcanization of the rubber, to make
the tyre shear resistant. Without vulcanization tyres won't be able to bear the friction heat and stress of the road. Thus
carbon is responsible for giving tyres the prominent black colour. Adding of carbon prevents tyres from rapidly
deteriorating because when ozone combines with the ultraviolet light from the sun. It attacks the polymer of the tyre.

Q: HOW AIR CONDITIONERS WORK IN CARS?

Answer: Air conditioners are based on the principles of evaporation and condensation and then compression and
expansion. The hot air of the car is removed by the process of evaporation and then the condensation of the evaporated
air takes places which is then further compressed by the compressor and then finally expanded to us in the form of cold
breeze. Somehow, Air conditioning reduces the average of the car, as the energy is required to remove the hot air and
then compression and expansion.

Q: IF WE USE GASOLINE IN DIESEL ENGINE, WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

Answer: Adding gasoline to the diesel engine may blast off the engine. Compression ratio of the petrol engine is 6 to 10
and diesel engine is 15 to 22. Thus gasoline will get very highly compressed and might result in blast off engine.

Q: WHAT ARE THREE METHODS OF HEAT TRANSFER?

Answer: Three methods of heat transfer are conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction: The transfer of energy by
collisions between the atoms and molecules in a material. Convection: Transfers heat when particles move between
objects or areas that differ in temperature. Radiation: The transfer of energy by waves.

Q: WHAT IS DTSI? WHY THIS TECHNOLOGY IS USED IN MOTOR BIKES?

Answer: DTSI stands for Digital Twin Spark Ignition. This is used to get better combustion in the combustion chamber. In
this technique double spark plugs are used to obtain better combustion of fuel in cylinder head. Through this technique
fuel is ignited properly. Moreover it provides better efficiency and it is economical in fuel consumption.

Q: WHAT IS OCTANE NUMBER AND CETANE NUMBER?

Answer: Octane number can be defined as the percentage, by volume, of iso-octane in the mixture of iso-octane and h-
heptane. It is the measure of rating of SI engine. While cetane number can be defined as the percentage,by volume, of n-
cetane in the mixture of n-cetane and alpha methyl naphthalene. It is the measure of rating of CI engine.

Q: WHAT IS THE REASON FOR EMITTING THE WHITE EXHAUST SMOKE DURING START OF THE VEHICLE?
HOW WILL YOU PREVENT THIS?
Answer: The main cause of white smoke is water or anti-freeze entering the cylinder, so the engine starts to burn it with
the fuel. That white smoke is nothing but steam. Prevention measures: There are special gaskets i.e. head gaskets and
primary gaskets that prevent the anti-freeze from entering into the cylinder area. This anti-freeze will produce a white
steam which will accumulate at the tailpipe area.

Q: WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF SOMEONE ADD OIL TO THE FUEL OF FOUR STROKE BIKE ENGINE?
Answer: This will result in damaging of the engine faster. Adding oil will lead to the higher wear and tear of the cylinder
liner, piston and damage to the piston. It will lead to abnormal combustion and knocking and detonation. Dark smoke and
abnormal sounds will be generated by the engine. One should not mix oil with the fuel of four stroke engine.

Q: WHAT IS THE USE OF NATURAL GAS IN AUTOMOBILES?

Answer: High octane number makes it very good S.I engine fuel Low engine emissions. Less aldehydes than with
methanol
 Q: why Carnot cycle is not used for practical purpose?

Practically, it is very difficult to add or reject heat to or from the working fluid at constant temperature. But, it is
comparatively easy to add or reject heat to or from the working fluid at constant pressure. Therefore, Carnot cycle is not
used as an idealized cycle for steam power plants.

Q: High torque vs High speed in car?

The confusion arises because we relate torque with speed which isn’t correct .The purpose of torque is
to accelerate something. So torque is related to Change in speed per unit time, not to absolute value of speed.

Few days back I was driving at 80km/h on a highway in 5th gear then due to some hindrance i had to slow it down to
40km/h but I didn't downshift the gears .So when i tried to accelerate again from 40km/h in 5th gear it took ages to reach
70km/h. So why didn't it accelerate quickly? The reason is, tires weren't getting ample torque (which they would
have. Had I downshifted to 3rd gear) to accelerate quickly.

First thing you should know is we need a transmission system (gears) because we have a limited capacity power
source (engine). if we can somehow build an infinite source ,we won't need it (neither manual nor automatic). a
single inbuilt torque ratio would be enough then. Transmission system is a tradeoff b/w torque (acceleration) and
speed for a given amount of Power delivered by Engine and keeps your engine in its power band (optimum
revolutions)

Also, the way you framed the question "High torque gives low speed and Low torque gives high speed" sums up your
confusion. Tinker it a little to remember it like this. “High torque takes us QUICKLY from low to high speed but due to
limited capacity engine we then apply low torque to take us SLOWLY to yet higher speeds.

An Ideal fuel has following characteristics:

 It is readily available,
 It is less expensive,
 It burns easily in air at a moderate rate,
 It produces a large amount of heat,
 It can transport easily.
 It has high calorific value, and.
 It does not leave behind any undesirable substances.

Stress: force applied to a certain cross-sectional area of an object. 

Strain 

Strain is the response of a system to an

applied stress.
Engineering strain is defined as the amount of
deformation in the direction of the applied
force divided by the initial length of the
material.

In this linear region, the line obeys the

relationship defined as Hooke's Law where
the ratio of stress to strain is a constant. 

The slope of the line in this region where stress is

proportional to strain and is called the modulus
of elasticity or Young's modulus.

Y = σ / ε,
Young’s modulus (Y) is the ratio of the
tensile/compressive stress (σ) to the longitudinal strain (ε).

Poisson's ratio is defined as the negative of the ratio

of the lateral strain to the axial strain for a uniaxial
stress state.

The Poisson's ratio of a stable, isotropic, linear elastic material must be between −1.0 and +0.5 because of the
requirement for Young's modulus, the shear modulus and bulk modulus to have positive values.
Most materials have Poisson's ratio values ranging between 0.0 and 0.5.
A perfectly incompressible material deformed elastically at small strains would have a Poisson's ratio of exactly 0.5.
Most steels and rigid polymers when used within their design limits (before yield) exhibit values of about 0.3, increasing to
0.5 for post-yield deformation which occurs largely at constant volume.
Rubber has a Poisson ratio of nearly 0.5. Cork's Poisson ratio is close to 0, showing very little lateral expansion when
compressed.
Some materials, e.g. some polymer foams, origami folds, and certain cells can exhibit negative Poisson's ratio, and are
referred to as auxetic materials. If these auxetic materials are stretched in one direction, they become thicker in the
perpendicular direction. In contrast, some anisotropic materials, such as carbon nanotubes, zigzag-based folded sheet
materials, and honeycomb auxetic metamaterials to name a few, can exhibit one or more Poisson's ratios above 0.5 in
certain directions.

Elastic Moduli – Shear Modulus

Shear Modulus (G) is the ratio of shearing stress to the corresponding shearing strain. Another name for shear stress is the
Modulus of Rigidity.

∴ G = shearing stress (σs) / shearing strain

Elastic Moduli – Bulk Modulus

We have already studied that when we submerge a body in a fluid, it undergoes a hydraulic stress which decreases the
volume of the body, leading to a volume strain. Bulk modulus (B) is the ratio of hydraulic stress to the corresponding hydraulic
strain.

B = -p / (ΔV/V)
The negative sign means that as the pressure increases, the volume decreases. Hence, for any system in equilibrium, B is
always positive. 

1. What is the difference between a petrol and diesel engine?

Basically Petrol engines are spark ignition engines, whereas Diesel engines are Compression Ignition engines.
Petrol engines have carburetors to suck the fuel. The fuel is atomized (or vaporized) and is mixed with air. The
air helps the fuel to burn. The air fuel mixture is let inside the cylinder, where it is burned by introducing a
spark by means of spark igniter or spark plug. Thus they get the name Spark Ignition or SI engines.
Diesel engines don’t have carburetors, instead they have fuel injectors. Fuel Injectors inject fuel and supply it
directly to the cylinder where burning occurs. Diesel Engines don’t have spark plugs. The compression ratio of
diesel engine is more and also the auto ignition temperature of diesel is less than that of petrol. So, due to the
compression, high pressure and temperature is created which burns the fuel. This is the principle of working of
diesel engines and hence they have got the name Compression Ignition or CI engines.

2. Why do motor bikes have petrol engines and not diesel engines?
Some of the older model bikes had diesel engines. Diesel engines are bulky in nature. Carburetors are small,
whereas fuel injectors are large and they have to be more accurate for proper functioning. Moreover higher
compression ratio means higher vibration. Starting CI engines is quite difficult and particularly it’s hard during
cold weather. So, diesel engines are not used in bikes.

3. What happens when diesel is used in petrol engines and vice versa?
Petrol has higher auto ignition temperature and it won’t burn at the compression ratio of a diesel engine
without external help. So, the engine won’t run. Whereas when you use diesel in petrol engine, it’s dangerous.
Diesel burns with more power and it may damage the engine partly or completely.

4. Why are diesel engine cars more expensive than petrol engine cars? Which is better to buy?
The components of diesel engine are expensive. As said earlier, they have to be manufactured with higher
accuracy. Diesel engines have more components compared to petrol engines. This increases the total cost of the
vehicle. The taxes imposed on diesel engine cars are also high.
On a long run and continuous usage diesel engine cars end up being cheap. This also depends on a lot of factors
like the initial price difference the cars, cost of the fuel (currently petrol prices are increasing, but diesel prices
are flat due to the extensive usage), cost of maintenance (diesel engines have higher maintenance costs),
mileage, resale value and usage.
Also petrol engine cars are smoother to drive. You may have experienced it earlier. Bikes or petrol engine
vehicles have lesser vibration whereas diesel engine vehicles such as buses have more vibration. This is due to
the higher compression ratio of diesel engine. Hence the parts will be worn out soon too. With today’s
technology the vibration effects are decreasing day by day.

5. Why is petrol red in color, whereas diesel yellowish in color?

Interestingly both the fuels have nearly the same color, except that petrol is dyed red in order to differentiate it
from diesel. The color depends on countries, though it is mostly red. In some countries like South Africa, green
color is used for unleaded petrol whereas red is used for leaded petrol.
That’s what I remember right now. If you have questions related to this or any other suggestions, please post in
the comment section below.
STRIBECK CURVE-

For a contact of two fluid-lubricated surfaces, the Stribeck curve shows the relationship between the so-
called Hersey number, a dimensionless lubrication parameter, and the friction coefficient. The Hersey number is
defined as:
Hersey No. = ŋN/P

where η is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid, N is the entrainment speed of the fluid and P is the normal load in the
tribological contact. Thus, for a given viscosity and load, the Stribeck curve shows how friction changes with
increasing velocity. Based on the typical progression of the Stribeck curve (see right), three lubrication regimes can
be identified.

1. Boundary lubrication
 Solid surfaces come into direct contact, load supported mainly by surface asperities, high friction
2. Mixed lubrication
 Some asperity contact, load supported by both asperities and the liquid lubricant.
3. Hydrodynamic lubrication
 Negligible asperity contact, load supported mainly by hydrodynamic pressure.