Problem Set 1 Solutions

March 20, 2021

Mathematics:

1. A stack of bricks has 61 bricks in the bottom layer, 58 bricks in the second layer, 55 bricks in the
third layer and so on until there are 10 bricks in the last layer. How many bricks are there together?
A. 638 B. 637 C. 640 D. 639

2. Find the differential equation whose general solution is 𝑦 = 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 𝑥

A. (𝒙 − 𝟏)𝒚′′ − 𝒙𝒚′ + 𝒚 = 𝟎
B. (𝑥 + 1)𝑦 ′′ − 𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = 0
C. (𝑥 − 1)𝑦 ′′ + 𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = 0
D. (𝑥 + 1)𝑦 ′′ + 𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = 0
Engineering Sciences:

3. A 250 N block is initially at rest on a flat surface that is inclined at 30 degrees. If the coefficient of
static friction is 0.30, find the force P required to start the block moving up the plane.
A. 143.5 N B. 234.5 N C. 124.54 N D. 189.95 N

4. An object weighing 400 N is held by a rope that passes over a horizontal drum. The coefficient of
friction between the rope and the drum is 0.25. If the angle of contact is 150 degrees, determine the
force that will raise the object.
A. 350 N B. 540 N C. 770 N D. 780 N
 5. In a hydraulic press, the large piston has a cross-sectional area of 200 sq. cm, and the small piston
has a cross-sectional area of 5 sq.cm. If the force applied is 250 N to the small piston, compute the
force acting on the large piston.
A. 10 kN B. 12 kN C. 21kN D. 20 kN

Thermodynamics:

6. The maximum possible efficiency possible for a power cycle operating between 1200⁰F and 225⁰F is?
A. 81.25% B. 58.73% C. 46.58% D. 18.75%

*Note: Always use the absolute temperature when using this formula*
Convert Celcius to Kelvin; Fahrenheit to Rankine
 7. A group of 50 persons attend a secret meeting in a room which is 12m wide by 10m long and a ceiling
height of 3m. The room is completely sealed off and insulated. Each person gives off 150 kCal per
hour of heat and occupies a volume of 0.20 cu. meters. The room has an initial pressure of 101.3 kPa
and temperature of 16⁰C. Calculate the room temperature after 10 minutes. Use R = 0.287 kJ/kg-K
and Cv = 0.171 kCal/kg-K.
A. 33.1⁰C B. 37.7⁰C C. 38.7⁰C D. 31.7⁰C

Basic Electronics:
8. What type of diode biasing happens when the positive terminal of a source is connected to the N-type
side of the diode and the negative terminal of the source is connected to the P-type side of the diode?
A. Forward-biased B. Backward-biased C. Reverse-biased D. Unbiased

Mechanisms:
9. How many degrees of freedom does the mechanism shown below have?

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 5

Solution:
Number of links (n) = 4
Number of lower pairs (Lp) = 4
Number of higher pairs (Hp) = 0
𝐷𝑂𝐹 = 3(𝑛 − 1) − 2𝐿𝑝 − 𝐿ℎ = 1

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdvBrKl3SHg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOFM8eG8kVc
 Additional Examples:
https://my.mech.utah.edu/~me3200/hws/F02HWS/F02Sample_test_solutions.pdf
http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=125546

10. How many instantaneous centers of rotation does a 6-link mechanism have?
A. 10 B. 12 C. 15 D. 18

Solution:

𝑛(𝑛−1)
𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 (𝐼 ) = = 𝑛𝐶2 = 15; n = no. of links
2

11. Which of the following states that “for a 4-bar chain, the sum of lengths of longest and shortest links
should not be more than the sum of the length of two other links, to continuous relative motion”?
A. Grashoff’s Rule
B. Klein’s Equation
C. Kurtzback Inequality
D. Gruebler’s Equation

Fluid Machinery:

Pumps: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zdDBpduCxswGM3tyB-5nDcCDWL_e60Rs?usp=sharing

The total head formula came from the Bernoulli equation from the source (usually lower reservoir) to the
discharge (upper reservoir).

𝑃𝑠 𝑣𝑠 2 𝑃𝑑 𝑣𝑑 2
𝑧𝑠 + + + 𝐻 = 𝑧𝑑 + + + ℎ𝑓
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔

For Bernoulli equation,

• If the reference points are of the same elevation, you can cancel the elevation head terms
(z) from both sides
• If the reference points are open to the atmosphere, the pressure in that point can be
considered 0.
• If the pipes from the source to the discharge area are of the same diameter, the velocities
are the same so you can cancel the velocity head terms from both sides.
• hf = frictional losses
12. A pump lifts water at the rate of 283 liters per second from a lake and force into a tank 8m above the
level of the water at a pressure of 137 kPa. What is the power required in kW?
A. 71 B. 41 C. 61 D. 51

P = Pump power
𝛾 = specific weight (for water, 9.81 kN/m3 or 32.2 lb/ft3)
H = total head; computed using Bernoulli equation. In this example,

𝑃𝑠 𝑣𝑠 2 𝑃𝑑 𝑣𝑑 2
𝑧𝑠 + + + 𝐻 = 𝑧𝑑 + + + ℎ𝑓
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔

zs = 0 because this is our reference point

zd = 8m because the discharge (tank) is 8m above the source (lake)
Ps = 0 because the lake is open to the atmosphere
Pd = 137 kPa (given)
Vs and Vd are equal so you can cancel both terms from the equation
hf = 0 because there are no frictional losses stated in the problem

Pump power is also called water power or water horsepower (final answer in Hp). If the problem
asks for Brake Power or input power, just divide the water power by the pump efficiency.
 13. A pump with a 400 mm diameter suction pipe and a 350 mm diameter discharge pipe is to deliver
20,000 liters per minute of 15.6⁰C water. Calculate the pump head in meters if suction gage is 7.5cm
below pump centerline and reads 127mmHg vacuum and discharge gage is 45cm above the pump
centerline and reads 75kPa.
A. 15m B. 5m C. 20m D. 10m

𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
(Hint: Use Bernoulli’s equation 𝑧1 + + + 𝐻 = 𝑧2 + +
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔
where z = head loss due to height; H = total head loss;
use (-) sign for vacuum suction pressure;
(-) sign for height of suction below pump centerline)

14. A pump operating at 1750 rpm delivering 500gal/min against

a total head of 150 ft. Changes in the piping system have
increased the total head to 360 ft. At what rpm should the pump
be operated to achieve this new head at the same efficiency?
A. 2730 rpm B. 2740 rpm C. 2711 rpm D. 2600 rpm
Machine Design:
Strength of Materials:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1irmo2zuKflWlKYF6vwJaWm6wqsGxSj9p/view?usp=sharing

15. What load P which cause a deformation of 0.036 inch of steel rack which has a cross-sectional area of
4 sq. inches and a length of 5 ft? Modulus of elasticity for steel is 30x106 psi.
A. 55,000 lb B. 60,000 lb C. 72,000 lb D. 50,000 lb

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃 𝑥 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝐿
Deformation = 𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠−𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴 𝑥 𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐸

16. What force P is required to punch a half-inch hole on a 0.25 in. thick plate if the ultimate shearing
stress of the plate is 44,000 psi?
A. 25,000 lb B. 15,000 lb C. 20,000 lb D. 17,279 lb

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃
𝑃𝑢𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = =
𝑃𝑢𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝜋𝐷𝑡

(39) An Introduction to Stress and Strain - YouTube

17. A hollow bronze tube has an outer diameter of 2 in. and an inner diameter of 1.5 in. and is 12 in. long.
A crank 15 in. long is keyed to one end, and the other end is held rigidly. The modulus of rigidity is
10,000,000 psi. Compute the angular movement of the end of the crank when the load of 358 lb is
applied.
A. 0.344 degree B. 0.543 degree C. 0.544 degree D. 0.434 degree

𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑥 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑡 =
𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 𝑥 𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑦

*the computed angle of twist is always in radians

Manufacturing Processes:

18. A non-homogeneous material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different
physical and chemical properties that when combined, produces a material with characteristics
different from individual components.
A. Compound B. Composite C. Mixture D. Fusion

19. Additive manufacturing process that involves the curing or solidification of photosensitive polymer
through the use of an irradiation light source, which supplies the energy that is needed to induce a
curing reaction that hardens the polymer.
A. Slithography B. Stereography C. Stereolithography D. Slithereography

20. Match the correct pairs:

Processes
E. Friction Welding
F. Gas Metal Arc Welding
G. Tungsten Inert Gas Welding
H. Electroslag Welding
Characteristics/Applications
1. Non-consumable electrode
2. Joining of thick plates
3. Consumable electrode wire
4. Joining of cylindrical dissimilar materials

Answer: E4, F3, G1, H2

Machine Tool Operations:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nc1tQNWGn9IoOyQPq4kvUjXMkwSqlQen/view?usp=sharing

21. Which of the following is a lathe machine operation where you reduce the material’s diameter?
A. Facing B. Turning C. Chamfering D. Reaming

22. What is the cutting speed of a 12-in. diameter milling cutter turning at 190 rpm?
A. 2.9m/s B. 4.5m/s C. 3.5m/s D. 1.8m/s

23. An engine lathe is used to cut an ACME thread having a length of 5 inches, a major diameter of 2
inches, four threads per inch, a depth of 0.1350 in., a cutting speed of 70 ft/min, and a depth of cut of
0.005 in. per pass. If the material cut is medium steel, how many passes of tool are required?
A. 27 B. 15 C. 12 D. 20
Heat and Mass Transfer:

24. Calculate the energy transfer rate across a 6 in. wall of firebrick with a temperature difference across
the wall 50⁰C. The thermal conductivity of the firebrick is 0.65 Btu/hr-⁰F at the temperature interest.
A. 285 W/m2 B. 369 W/m2 C. 112 W/m2 D. 429 W/m2

25. A 60-W power transistor is to be cooled by attaching it to one of the commercially available heat sinks.
What is the thermal resistance of heat sink that will allow the case temperature of the transistor not to
exceed 90⁰C in the ambient air at 30⁰C?
A. 1⁰C/W B. 2⁰C/W C. 3⁰C/W D. 4⁰C/W

Solution:

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 ∆𝑇
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑄 = =
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑅

∆𝑻
𝑹= = 𝟏°𝑪/𝑾
𝑸
Internal Combustion Engines:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/118Ukxw5VViIWF5Uhs-Kcdg3xPKkpSnoM?usp=sharing

The analysis with every cycle is the same, the only difference is the processes they take.

26. The compression ratio of an ideal Otto cycle is 6:1. Initial conditions are 101.3 kPa and 20⁰C. Find the
pressure and temperature are the end of the adiabatic compression.
A. 1244.5 kPa, 600 K C. 1244.5 kPa, 333 K
B. 1124 kPa, 333 K D. 1124 kPa, 600 K
(Hint: Otto cycle works on the ff. cycle: Isentropic compression – Isobaric heat addition – Isentropic
expansion – Isometric heat rejection)
 27. What do you call the distance between the top dead center and bottom dead center of an engine’s
piston?
A. Lift B. Stroke C. Clearance D. Displacement

28. An air-standard Otto cycle (Gasoline cycle) has a compression ratio of 5. What is its efficiency?
A. 12.96% B. 34.34% C. 47.47% D. 64.05%

rk = compression ratio
k = specific heat ratio

HVAC:

29. What do you call the study of thermodynamic properties of moist air and the use of these to analyze
humid air conditions and processes?
A. Calorimetry B. Psychrometry C. Cavitation D. Aerodynamics

30. An ice plant produces 20 tons of ice per day at -15⁰C from water at 25⁰C. If miscellaneous losses are
12% of the freezing and chilling load, calculate the refrigeration capacity of the plant in tons of
refrigeration. The specific heat capacity of water is 4.187 kJ/kg-⁰C. The latent heat of fusion is 335
kJ/kg. The specific heat capacity of ice is 2.09 kJ/kg-⁰C. (Hint: 1 Ton of Refrigeration (TOR) =
3.517kW)
A. 28.13 B. 38.13 C. 31.50 D. 41.50

𝑄1 = 𝑚𝐶𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑇1 − 𝑇𝑓); T1 = initial temperature; Tf = freezing temperature

𝑄2 = 𝑚𝐿; 𝐿 = 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡
𝑄3 = 𝑚𝐶𝑖𝑐𝑒 (𝑇𝑓 − 𝑇2); T2 = target temperature
Power Plant Engineering:

31. A thermal power plant generates 4000 kW and 400 kW for auxiliaries. Determine the net thermal
efficiency if the heat generated by fuel is 15000 kW.
A. 24% B. 29.33% C. 26.67% D. 27.39%

Solution:

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 4000 − 400

𝑒𝑓𝑓 = = = 0.24 = 24%
𝑄𝑎 15000

32. In a geothermal power plant, the mass flow rate of ground water is 400 kg/s and the quality after
throttling is 20%. If the turbine power is 80 MW, what is the change in enthalpy of steam at the inlet
and outlet of the turbine?
A. 1000 kJ/kg B. 1500 kJ/kW C. 2000 kJ/kW D. 2500 kJ/kW

Engineering Economy:

33. If P5000.00 shall accumulate for 10 years at 8% compounded quarterly, find the compounded interest
at the end of 10 years.
A. P6,005.30 B. P6,000.00 C. P6,040.20 D. P6,011.20
34. A manufacturing firm wishes to give each 80 employees a holiday bonus. How much is needed to
invest monthly for a year at 12% nominal interest rate compounded monthly so that each employee
will receive a P2000.00 bonus?
A. P12,608.00 C. P12,600.00
B. P12,615.00 D. 12,300.00

35. This is a type of annuity in which the payment continues indefinitely.

A. Annuity Due B. Ordinary Annuity C. Deferred Annuity D. Perpetuity