Matt Uren

BMETC

Introduction to Engineering Science

Solving problems in mechanics and in electrical
circuits Course work.

Course Tutor: Dave Sadler

Birmingham Metropolitan College
BMC Number: 131437827

1.

In the table below, for each quantity insert the

conventional symbol, the SI unit of measurement and the
symbol for that unit.

Physical
Quantity

Conventio
nal
Symbol
Distance
S
Force
F
Acceleration A
Volume
Mass
Length
Weight
Energy
Work
Pressure
Current
Resistance
Electromoti
ve Force

V
M
L
W
E
W
P
A
R
EMF

SI Unit of
Measurement

Unit
Symbol

Metre
Newton
Metres per second
squared
Metres cubed
Kilogram
Millimetre
Kilogram
Joule
Joule
Pascal
Amps
Ohms
Volts

m
n
m/s2
m3
KG
mm
KG
J
J
Pa
I

2.

Alongside each case below state a suitable physical

quantity corresponding to the units and write the
number in the standard format, using an
appropriate symbol and prefix, assuming trailing
zeros are not significant:

1.

47,210 Newtons 47.21 KN (Kilo Newtons)

56,500 Newtons per metre squared 56.5 KN/m2 (Kilo
Newtons per Metre squared)
2,500,000 Watts 2.5 MW (Megawatts)
0.0008 Kilometres 0.8 M (Metres)
756 microseconds 0.000756 s (Seconds)
Twenty-five thousand volts 25 KV (Kilovolts)

Convert the following values into the units shown

and enter the results below.

250cm into m: 0.25 metres.

0.036 m2 into mm2: 36mm2
45 km/hr into m/s: 12.5 m/s
75 miles/hr into m/s: 33.528 m/s
22.5 m/s into km/hr: 81 km/hr
0.370 cm2 into mm2: 37 mm2
2.75 m2 into cm2: 2750 cm2
1.26 tonnes into kg: 1260 kg
350kg into Newtons: 3432.328 n
0.045 V into mV: 45 mV
1350 mA into A: 1.35 A

1.

A horizontal beam 4.8m long of mass 18kg is

supported by pillars 0.2m from each end. There is a
man of mass 85kg standing 1.7m from one end of
the beam. Overleaf draw a diagram showing the
forces acting on the beam in this equilibrium
condition. Calculate the magnitudes of the loads
carried by each support.

(Drawn using Microsoft Visio)

2.

Define the following:

Energy and work

Energy as a concept is based on any kind of work expended
in forms such as mechanically driven water pumps,
electrically powered motors and even the kinetic energy of a
moving object. For example if an object is on the edge of a
raised platform, it has gravitational potential energy from the
possibility of it falling off the edge of the platform, if the
object falls off the conditions in this scenario which define its
vector and velocity, are the objects mass, any initial velocity
causing it to fall and gravity. Additionally any potential
energy it loses whilst falling is equally gained in kinetic
energy; kinetic energy can be described as the energy an
object has whilst it In motion.

The formula for gravitational potential energy is mass x

gravity x height; gravity on Earth is always taken to be
9.81 m/s2, this however depends upon the planetary
body, E.G for example the gravitational pull would be
increased if the bodies mass was greater than that of
Earth. if an object has a mass of 2kg, and it is at a
height of 10 metres, the equation to work out it's
gravitational potential energy would be 2kg x 9.81m/s 2
x 10m = 196.2 The unit of measurement for energy is
the joule, so our final answer would be 196.2 joules.

The formula for kinetic energy is x mass x velocity 2.

This can be derived from the formula of momentum (P
=mv) by integrating the equation in terms of V. This
gives us mv2. If we apply this formula to a scenario
such as: An object of mass 15kg is travelling at 2m/s,
the equation would be 0.5 x 15 x 22, this gives us 30.
Kinetic Energy like Potential Energy is measured in
joules so the final answer would be 30 joules.

Work can be defined as the outcome of any force acting upon

another physical entity. For example if a force of substantial

mass and acceleration hits an object, and this causes to

object to move or react, the work is the reaction of the object
due to the forces action upon it. This can also be related to
Newtons third law (Every action has an equal and opposite
reaction). The reaction of the object is affected by the work
done unto it by the forces action. Work like Energy is also
measured in joules.

Force and Mass

Force is the resultant value of a mass accelerating. Every
physical body with mass will generate force when it
accelerates; this force is then carried with the physical body
until it encounters another object, in which case the force is
then exerted onto the second object and then equally
rebounded. The formula for working out the force of a
moving object is force = mass multiplied by the acceleration
as described by Newtons second law . The unit of
measurement for force is the newton, named after the
scientist whose theories advanced our understanding of
mechanical physics and motion.