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ScotlandEngineering Science

Area 3: Mechanisms and structures

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do belt and chain drives transmit rotation between shafts, and how do you calculate torque and the power transmitted by a rotating shaft?

Belt, chain and pulley drive systems and their speed ratio, the concept of torque, and the power transmitted by a rotating shaft.
An SQA Higher Engineering Science answer on belt, chain and pulley drive systems and their speed ratio, the concept of torque as a turning moment, and how to calculate the power transmitted by a rotating shaft.
12 min answer →

How does a resultant force accelerate a mass, how does friction oppose motion, and how do you calculate work and power?

Newton's second law relating resultant force, mass and acceleration, the effect of friction, and calculating work done and power.
An SQA Higher Engineering Science answer on Newton's second law relating resultant force, mass and acceleration, how friction opposes motion, and how to calculate the work done by a force and the power developed.
12 min answer →

How does a structure stay in equilibrium, and how do you find the support reactions of a loaded beam using moments?

The conditions for static equilibrium, the principle of moments, and finding the support reactions of a simply supported loaded beam.
An SQA Higher Engineering Science answer on the conditions for static equilibrium, the principle of moments, and finding the support reactions of a simply supported beam carrying point loads.
12 min answer →

How do the members of a framework carry load as ties and struts, and how do you find the force in a member at a joint?

Members in tension (ties) and compression (struts), and finding the internal forces in a pin-jointed framework by resolving forces at a joint in equilibrium.
An SQA Higher Engineering Science answer on members in tension (ties) and compression (struts), and on finding the internal forces in a pin-jointed framework by resolving forces at a joint that is in equilibrium.
12 min answer →

How do you calculate the stress and strain in a loaded member, and how does Young's modulus and a factor of safety guide material choice?

Direct stress and strain, Young's modulus relating them, the factor of safety, and selecting materials by their mechanical properties.
An SQA Higher Engineering Science answer on direct stress and strain, Young's modulus relating the two, the factor of safety, and selecting materials by their mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and ductility.
12 min answer →

How do levers and gear systems trade force for movement, and how do you calculate mechanical advantage and velocity ratio?

Levers and gear systems, calculating mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency, and the gear ratio of meshing gears.
An SQA Higher Engineering Science answer on levers and gear systems, calculating mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency, and finding the gear ratio and output speed of meshing gears.
12 min answer →