AUTOMOTIVE SCIENCE

FORMATIVE EXAM

MARCH, 2025

ASSESORS GUIDE

NYANDARUA NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN LEVEL 5

WRITTEN ASSESSMENT

AT L5 24S
 SECTION A: (40 MARKS)

Attempt ALL the questions in this section

1. Highlight the principle of the polygon of forces. (2 Marks)

The principle of the polygon of forces states that if a number of coplanar forces acting at a
point are in equilibrium then the vector sum of these forces zero.

2. State Newton’s first law of motion (2 Marks)

Newton`s first law states that an object at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with
the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

3.a) Momentum is a common term applied to forces. Define the term momentum (2 Marks)

Momentum is the quantity of motion possessed by a body.

b) Derive how momentum is measured. (2 Marks)

momentum (p) is measured by the product of mass m and velocity v

p=mv (kgm/s)

4. A force is fully defined by three factors. Name these THREE factors; (3 Marks)

Magnitude

Direction

Point of application

5. State the parallelogram of forces rule. (2 Marks)

If two forces acting at a point are represented in magnitude and direction by the adjacent
sides of a parallelogram their resultant is represented in magnitude and direction by the
diagonal from that point.

6.a) By use of sketch, explain the term ‘friction’ (4 Marks)

Friction is the force resisting relative motion between two surfaces in contact due to
microscopic surface irregularities.

b) List FOUR effects of friction. (4 Marks)

Heat Generation.

Wear and Tear.

Motion Resistance.

Stability and Grip.

7.a) Define the term simple machine. (2 Marks)

Is a basic mechanical device that uses a single applied force to do work against a load,
changing the magnitude or direction of force.

b) List FOUR examples of simple machines. (4 Marks)

lever, pulley , inclined plane, screw.

8. Give THREE reasons why the efficiency of a machine can never be 100%. (3 Marks)

Friction between moving parts.

Energy loss as heat.

Inelastic deformation of materials.

9. Highlight THREE modes of heat transfer. (3 Marks)

Conduction

Convection

Radiation

10. define the following terms as applied in linear motion. (3 Marks)

i. displacement – the change in position of an object from its initial position to its
final position.

ii. velocity – the rate of change of displacement with respect to time.

iii. acceleration – rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

11. List FOUR types of clearances in a motor vehicle. (4 Marks)

Bearing clearance.

Valve clearance.

Piston clearance.

Gear clearance.
 SECTION B: (60 MARKS)

Attempt any THREE questions in this section

12.

a) State Newton’s second law of motion. (2 Marks)

Newton's second law of motion states that the net force acting on a body is equal to the
product of its mass and acceleration. (F = ma)

b) A motor vehicle of mass 2.1 tonnes is travelling with a uniform velocity of 72 km/h down

a local road; calculate the momentum of the vehicle. (5 Marks)

Convert the mass from tonnes to kilograms.

The mass of the vehicle is given as 2.1 tonnes. Since 1 tonne is equal to 1000 kilograms, we
have:

mass = 2.1 tonnes x 1000 kg/tonne = 2100 kg

Convert the velocity from km/h to m/s.

To convert from kilometers per hour to meters per second, we use the conversion factor

1000m/3600 s

velocity = 72 km/h x 1000 m/3600 s = 20 m/s

Calculate the momentum using the formula p = mv

Momentum (p) is calculated by multiplying mass (m) by velocity (v):

p = 2100 kg x 20 m/s = 42000 kg m/s

The answer is: 42000 kg m/s

c) A vehicle has a force of 1.5 kN acting on it due to the engine, and the acceleration

produced is 1.2m/s. Calculate the mass of the vehicle. (7 Marks)

Identify the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration using Newton's second law.

According to Newton's second law, the formula is given by F = ma

, where F is the force,

m is the mass, and

a is the acceleration.

Rearrange the formula to solve for mass m

The mass can be calculated as:

m = F/a

Convert the force from kilonewtons to newtons.

Since 1 kN = 1000 N

, we have:

F = 1.5 kN = 1.5 x 1000 N = 1500 N

Substitute the values of force and acceleration into the equation.

Now substituting F = 1500 N

and a = 1.2 m/s^{2}

m = 1500 N/1.2 m/s^{2}

Calculate the mass.

m = 1500/{1.2} = 1250 kg

The answer is: 1250 kg

d) A ball of mass 50 g is moving with a velocity of 4 m/s when it strikes a stationary ball of

mass 25 g. The velocity of the 50 g ball after impact is 2.5 m/s in the same direction as

before impact. Determine the velocity of the 25 g ball after impact. (6 Marks)

Identify the given information:

Mass of the first ball (m1) = 50 g = 0.05 kg

Initial velocity of the first ball (u1) = 4 m/s

Mass of the second ball (m2) = 25 g = 0.025 kg

Initial velocity of the second ball (u2) = 0 m/s (stationary)

Final velocity of the first ball (v1) = 2.5 m/s

Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum:

Total momentum before impact = Total momentum after impact

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2

Substitute the known values into the equation:

(0.05 kg)(4 m/s) + (0.025 kg)(0 m/s) = (0.05 kg)(2.5 m/s) + (0.025 kg)(v2)

Solve for the final velocity of the second ball (v2):

0.2 kg m/s = 0.125 kg m/s + 0.025 kg * v2

0.075 kg m/s = 0.025 kg * v2

v2 = (0.075 kg m/s) / (0.025 kg) = 3 m/s

13.

a. Machines are fundamental tools in engineering and everyday life that make tasks easier

by magnifying force, changing the direction of force, or increasing the distance over

which a force act. Define: the following terms in relation to machines:

i. Machine; A device that uses energy to apply forces and control movement to perform an
intended action.

ii. Mechanical advantage (MA); The ratio of the output force to the input force.

iii. Velocity ratio (VR); is the ratio of the distance moved by the input force (effort distance)
to the distance moved by the output force (load distance).

iv. Efficiency. Efficiency is the ratio of the useful work output of a machine to the work
input. (4 Marks)

b. A mechanical technician found out that a lifting machine has velocity ratio of 50. When

tests were carried out on the machine, he found that an effort of 180 N lifted a load of
2000 N while an effort of 300 N lifted a load of 5000 Determine:

i. The law of the machine, assuming it to be linear;

Effort E =AL + b,
180=2000a + b
300=5000a + b
By subtraction of first equation from second:
120=3000a
a=0.04
substitute a back to any of two equation;
180=2000(0.04)+b
b=100
E=0.04L+100

ii. The effort when lifting the maximum safe load of 10,000 N;
L=10000N
E=0.04(10000)+100=500N
iii. Mechanical advantage when lifting the maximum safe load of 10,000 N;
Load=10000N
MA=Load/Effort =10000/500= 20
iv. Efficiency when lifting the maximum safe load of 10,000 N. (16 Marks)

14.

a. Pressure is a fundamental concept in fluid mechanics and is critical in many engineering

applications. Explain the following terms as applied to pressure: (4 Marks)

i. Absolute pressure;

Absolute pressure is the total pressure measured relative to a vacuum, including

atmospheric pressure.

ii. Gauge pressure.

Gauge pressure is the pressure measured relative to atmospheric pressure, indicating

excess or deficiency.

b. A tank contains water to a depth of 750 mm. Calculate the pressure: (7 Marks)

i. at a depth of 300 mm;

Convert the depths from mm to meters.

The depths need to be in meters for consistency with the density units.

Depth at 300 mm:

300 mm = 0.3 m

Depth at the base of the tank (750 mm):

750 mm= 0.75 m

Calculate the pressure at a depth of 300 mm.

The pressure at a certain depth in a fluid is given by the formula:

P=ρgh

Where:

P = pressure (Pa)

ρ = density of the fluid (kg/m³)

g = acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)

h = depth (m)

Substituting the values for 300 mm:

P = 1000 kg/m^{3} x 9.8 m/s^{2} x 0.3m

P = 1000 x 9.8 x 0.3 = 2940 Pa

The answer is: 2940 Pa

ii. at the base of the tank.

Take the density of water as 1000 kg/m3

and the gravitational acceleration as 9.8m/s2

Calculate the pressure at the base of the tank (750 mm)

Using the same formula:

P=ρgh

Substituting the values for 750 mm:

P = 1000 kg/m^{3} x 9.8 m/s^{2} x 0.75 m

P = 1000 x 9.8 x 0.75 = 7350 Pa

c. A motor vehicle of mass 1250kg is braked from a speed of 108km/h and comes to rest with

uniform retardation after travelling a distance of 150 m. Determine:

i. The magnitude of the braking force;

Convert the initial speed from km/h to m/s.
108 km/h x (1000 m/km) x (1 h/3600 s) = 30 m/s

Use the equation of motion to find the deceleration (retardation).

the initial velocity (u), final velocity (v = 0 m/s), and distance (s).
The relevant equation is:
v² = u² + 2as

where:

v = final velocity (0 m/s)

u = initial velocity (30 m/s)
a = acceleration (which is negative since it's retardation)
s = distance (150 m)
Rearranging to solve for 'a':

a = (v² - u²) / 2s = (0² - 30²) / (2 x 150) = -3 m/s²

Calculate the braking force using Newton's second law of motion:

F = ma

where:

F = force

m = mass (1250 kg)

a = acceleration (-3 m/s²)
F = 1250 kg x (-3 m/s²) = -3750 N

The magnitude of the braking force is 3750 N.

ii. The time taken by the vehicle to come to rest.
Use another equation of motion to find the time (t). We know u, v, and a. The
relevant equation is:
v = u + at
 Rearranging to solve for 't':

t = (v - u) / a = (0 - 30 m/s) / (-3 m/s²) = 10 s

The time taken for the vehicle to come to rest is 10 seconds (9marks)

15.

a. A metal block lined with Ferodo and having a mass of 4.8kg requires a horizontal pull of

17 N to move it at a steady speed along a horizontal steel surface. Calculate the

coefficient of friction for Ferodo on steel. (5 Marks)

Identify the forces acting on the metal block. The horizontal pull (force applied) is 17 N,
which is equal to the frictional force when the block is moving at a steady speed.

Use the formula for frictional force:

F_friction = μ x F_normal

where μ is the coefficient of friction and F_normal is the normal force.

Calculate the normal force. Since the block is on a horizontal surface, the normal force is
equal to the weight of the block:

F_normal = m x g

where m = 4.8 kg

and g = 9.81 m/s^2

(acceleration due to gravity)

F_normal = 4.8 kg x 9.81 m/s^2 = 47.088 N

Substitute the values into the friction formula:

17 N = μ x 47.088 N

Solve for mu

μ = 17N/47.088 N= 0.360
b. Levers are one of the six classic simple machines and have been used since ancient

times to perform work more efficiently. Explain the THREE classes of levers. (6 Marks)

1. first-class lever, the fulcrum is positioned between the effort and the load. This
arrangement allows for a change in the direction of the force applied; for example, a
seesaw or a pair of scissors operates as a first-class lever.
2. second-class lever, the load is situated between the effort and the fulcrum. This
configuration enables the user to lift heavier loads with less effort, as seen in a
wheelbarrow.
3. third-class lever, the effort is applied between the load and the fulcrum. This type
of lever is commonly found in tools like tweezers or a fishing rod, where a greater
distance is moved at the expense of a larger effort applied. Each class of lever serves
a unique purpose and demonstrates the fundamental principles of mechanical
advantage in physics.

c. A lorry having a mass of 1.5 t is travelling along a level road at 72 km/h. When the

brakes are applied, the speed decreases to 18 km/h. Determine how much the kinetic

energy of the lorry is reduced. (9 Marks)

Convert the initial and final velocities to m/s.

Initial velocity, vi = 72 km/h = 72 x (1000 m / 3600 s) = 20 m/s.

Final velocity, vf = 18 km/h = 18 x (1000 m / 3600 s) = 5 m/s.

Calculate the initial kinetic energy.

= = 1/2 x 1500 kg x = 300,000 J.

Calculate the final kinetic energy.

KEf = 1/2 x m x vf2 = 1/2 x 1500 kg x (5 m/s)2 = 18,750 J.

Determine the reduction in kinetic energy.

Reduction in KE = KEi - KEf = 300,000 J - 18,750 J = 281,250 J