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Quizzes > Science

Engineering Quiz Questions to Test Your Core Knowledge

Quick, free quiz of engineering trivia questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: John KyleUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for engineering quiz featuring mechanics, circuits, design trivia on dark blue background

Use this quiz to practice engineering quiz questions across mechanics, circuits, and design, and see where you stand. Work through quick, mixed problems with instant feedback to spot strengths and gaps before a test or interview. Want more practice in one area? Try our mechanical engineering quiz, or explore technology trivia questions to stretch your knowledge further.

What is the SI unit of force?
Pascal
Joule
Newton
Watt
The SI unit of force is the Newton, defined as the force needed to accelerate one kilogram of mass by one meter per second squared. This unit is symbolized as N. It is named after Sir Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on classical mechanics.
Which formula represents Ohm's law?
I = VR
V = IR
R = I/V
P = IV
Ohm's law states that the voltage (V) across a conductor is proportional to the current (I) flowing through it times the resistance (R). Hence, V = I?R. This fundamental relationship applies to many electrical circuits.
What is Young's modulus a measure of?
Shear strength
Elastic stiffness of a material
Electrical resistivity
Thermal conductivity
Young's modulus measures the elastic stiffness of a material by relating stress to strain in the linear region. It is defined as stress divided by strain. Higher values indicate a stiffer material.
In a series circuit, the equivalent resistance is equal to:
The reciprocal of the sum
The average of resistances
The product of resistances
The sum of individual resistances
For resistors in series, the current is the same through each resistor, and the total voltage drop is the sum of individual drops. Therefore, the equivalent resistance is R_eq = R1 + R2 + ... + Rn.
How is a moment (torque) calculated in mechanics?
Force divided by area
Velocity times time
Force multiplied by perpendicular distance
Mass times acceleration
A moment or torque is the measure of the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis. It is calculated as the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot.
What is the SI base unit of electric current?
Ohm
Volt
Ampere
Coulomb
The ampere, symbol A, is the SI base unit of electric current. It is defined by fixing the elementary charge and measuring current as the flow of electric charge per second.
What is the formula for shear stress?
Shear force divided by area
Force times distance
Pressure times volume
Normal force times area
Shear stress is defined as the shear force acting parallel to a surface divided by the area of that surface. It quantifies the internal force per unit area resisting sliding.
Which law states that the sum of voltage drops around a closed loop equals zero?
Ohm's law
Kirchhoff's voltage law
Faraday's law
Coulomb's law
Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL) states that the algebraic sum of voltages around any closed circuit loop is zero. This reflects the principle of energy conservation in electrical circuits.
Which factor, if decreased, will increase beam deflection under a given load?
Moment of inertia
Length of beam
Elastic modulus
Applied load
Beam deflection under load is inversely proportional to the moment of inertia (I) of its cross section. A smaller I makes the beam less stiff, causing larger deflections.
How is mechanical efficiency defined?
Output force over input force
Output power over input power times 100%
Work done per unit time
Input power over output power times 100%
Mechanical efficiency is the ratio of useful output power to the input power, expressed as a percentage. It indicates how effectively a machine converts input energy into work.
What is the formula for electrical power in a DC circuit?
P = V × I
P = V / I
P = I^2 / R
P = V^2 × R
In a DC circuit, electrical power (P) is calculated by multiplying the voltage (V) by the current (I). This gives the rate at which electrical energy is converted to other forms.
Which law describes heat conduction through a material?
Ohm's law
Newton's law
Kirchhoff's law
Fourier's law
Fourier's law of heat conduction states that the heat flux is proportional to the negative of the temperature gradient. It describes how heat flows from hot to cold regions in a material.
How is normal stress defined in mechanics?
Pressure times volume
Moment divided by distance
Axial force divided by cross-sectional area
Shear force divided by area
Normal stress is the internal force (axial) per unit area acting perpendicular to a cross section. It measures how much force a material experiences along its length.
What does the continuity equation in fluid dynamics state for incompressible flow?
F = m a
A1 v1 = A2 v2
Q = m c ?T
P1 + ?gh + ½?v1^2 = constant
For incompressible fluid flow, the continuity equation states that the product of cross-sectional area (A) and velocity (v) at any two points is constant. This reflects conservation of mass.
What is the factor of safety?
Applied load divided by yield strength
Work output over energy input
Elastic modulus times area
Ratio of material strength to allowable stress
The factor of safety is the ratio of a material's strength to the maximum expected load or stress. It ensures structures operate within safe limits.
How do you calculate bending stress at a distance y from the neutral axis?
? = I M / y
? = y I / M
? = M y / I
? = M I / y^2
In beam theory, bending stress is given by ? = M y / I, where M is the bending moment, y is the distance from the neutral axis, and I is the second moment of area. This linear relationship holds in the elastic region.
What is the impedance magnitude in a series RLC circuit?
?(R^2 + (?L - 1/(?C))^2)
?L / (R + 1/(?C))
R - (?L + 1/(?C))
R + ?L + 1/(?C)
The impedance magnitude Z in a series RLC circuit is Z = ?[R^2 + (?L - 1/(?C))^2], combining resistive and reactive components. The reactive part depends on frequency.
Which method solves circuit equations using loop currents?
Mesh analysis
Nodal analysis
Superposition
Thevenin's theorem
Mesh analysis uses assumed loop currents in planar circuits to apply Kirchhoff's voltage law around each independent loop. It simplifies solving multiple loops.
What is Euler's critical buckling load for a pinned - pinned column?
? E I / L
2 ?^2 E I / L^2
E I / (?^2 L^2)
?^2 E I / L^2
Euler's formula for a pinned-pinned column gives the critical load P_cr = ?^2 E I / L^2. Above this load, the column will buckle elastically.
What is the voltage gain of a non-inverting op-amp?
1 + Rf / Rin
Rf / Rin
Rin / Rf
1 - Rf / Rin
A non-inverting op-amp has a gain of 1 + (Rf/Rin), where Rf is feedback resistance and Rin is the input resistance to ground. This ensures unity or greater amplification.
At the cutoff frequency of an RC high-pass filter, the phase shift is:
90°
0°
- 45°
45°
At the cutoff ( - 3 dB) frequency, an RC high-pass filter introduces a 45° phase lead between output and input. Below cutoff, the phase approaches 90°.
What Reynolds number range typically indicates the transition from laminar to turbulent flow in a pipe?
Below 500
Above 10000
Around 2300
Around 100
In internal pipe flow, the critical Reynolds number for transition is approximately 2300. Below this value flow is laminar; above, it becomes turbulent.
Which equation describes linear thermal expansion of a rod?
?L = ? L ?T
P = k ?T/L
Q = m c ?T
? = E ?
Linear thermal expansion is given by ?L = ? L ?T, where ? is the coefficient of thermal expansion, L is original length, and ?T is temperature change. Materials expand proportionally with temperature.
Which theorem states that responses in a linear circuit can be obtained by summing individual responses?
Thevenin's theorem
Superposition theorem
Maximum power transfer
Norton's theorem
The superposition theorem holds for linear circuits: each independent source is considered alone, and the total response is the sum of individual responses. It simplifies multi-source circuit analysis.
What is the relation between torque (T), angular speed (?) and power (P)?
P = T / ?
P = ? / T
P = T ?
P = T + ?
Mechanical power in rotational systems is P = T ?, where T is torque and ? is angular speed. This links mechanical and rotational parameters.
What is the natural angular frequency of a mass-spring system?
k/m
?(k/m)
1/(2?)?(k/m)
m/k
The natural angular frequency ?_n of a spring-mass system is ?(k/m), with k as spring constant and m as mass. It defines oscillation behavior.
For an ideal transformer, the voltage ratio equals:
Np/Ns
Np - Ns
Ns/Np
Np×Ns
In an ideal transformer, Vp/Vs = Np/Ns, the ratio of primary to secondary voltages equals the ratio of primary to secondary turns. It assumes no losses.
What is the closed-loop transfer function T(s) with feedback H(s)?
1/(G(s) + H(s))
G(s)H(s)
G(s) - H(s)
G(s)/(1 + G(s)H(s))
The closed-loop transfer function of a feedback system is T(s) = G(s) / [1 + G(s)H(s)], where G(s) is forward gain and H(s) is feedback. It determines stability and response.
Which principle underlies Lenz's law in electromagnetism?
Electric field is conservative
Current flows from low to high potential
Induced EMF opposes flux change
Magnetic force is perpendicular to current
Lenz's law states that the direction of induced EMF and current opposes the change in magnetic flux that produced it, conserving energy. It is a consequence of Faraday's law.
What is the cutoff frequency of an RC low-pass filter?
RC
?RC
1/(2?RC)
2?RC
The cutoff ( - 3 dB) frequency of an RC low-pass filter is f_c = 1/(2?RC). Above this frequency signals are attenuated.
What describes the amplification of stress around a hole in a plate?
Stress concentration factor
Shear modulus
Young's modulus
Poisson's ratio
The stress concentration factor (Kt) quantifies how much stress is amplified near geometric discontinuities such as holes. It is the ratio of maximum stress to nominal stress.
In modal analysis, what are mode shapes?
Stress distribution maps
Static deflection curves
Temperature profiles
Deformation patterns at natural frequencies
Mode shapes are the characteristic deformation patterns a structure exhibits at its natural frequencies during free vibration. They are dimensionless and independent of amplitude.
What does the Nyquist criterion assess in control systems?
Steady-state error
Phase shift at cutoff frequency
Time-domain response
Closed-loop stability via plot encirclements
The Nyquist stability criterion uses the Nyquist plot of open-loop transfer function to determine closed-loop stability by counting encirclements of the - 1 point.
Which curve relates stress amplitude to number of cycles until failure?
P-V diagram
S-N curve
Phase diagram
Mohr's circle
The S-N curve (Wöhler curve) plots stress amplitude (S) versus number of cycles to failure (N) to evaluate fatigue life of materials.
What is special about Zener diode operation?
Has no depletion region
Maintains a constant reverse breakdown voltage
Operates only in forward bias
Amplifies small signals
A Zener diode is designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region, maintaining a nearly constant voltage over a range of currents. It is used for voltage regulation.
How does mesh refinement affect finite element analysis?
Changes material properties
Decreases calculation time
Increases solution accuracy in stress hotspots
Removes boundary conditions
Refining the mesh in finite element analysis reduces element size, improving solution accuracy especially around stress gradients. However, it increases computational cost.
Which assumption applies to incompressible Navier - Stokes flow?
Density is constant
Temperature is constant
Velocity is uniform
Pressure is zero
In incompressible flow, fluid density is assumed constant, simplifying the Navier - Stokes equations by removing density variations. Mass continuity reduces to divergence-free velocity.
What is PSpice primarily used for?
Structural analysis
Electronic circuit simulation
Thermal imaging
Fluid dynamics
PSpice is a SPICE-based simulation software widely used for analyzing analog and mixed-signal electronic circuits before hardware implementation.
In CNC machining, what is tool path interpolation?
Choosing cutting speed
Measuring surface finish
Selecting coolant flow rate
Calculating intermediate motion points
Interpolation in CNC defines the path the tool takes between programmed points, ensuring smooth, accurate motion along lines or arcs.
How is complex power defined in AC circuits?
S = I^2R
S = P + jQ
S = VI
S = V^2/R
Complex power S in AC circuits combines real power (P) and reactive power (Q) as S = P + jQ, representing both energy transfer and storage.
Which method uses logarithmic mean temperature difference for heat exchangers?
Effectiveness - NTU
Galilean transformation
LMTD method
Finite difference
The LMTD (Log Mean Temperature Difference) method calculates heat exchanger performance using the logarithmic average of temperature differences at the ends of the exchanger.
Why is three-wire voltage measurement used?
To reduce noise
To increase current
To cancel lead resistance error
To measure power factor
Three-wire measurement uses a separate sense lead to eliminate voltage drop errors due to lead resistance, improving accuracy in low-voltage or high-current circuits.
What does a Kalman filter estimate?
Static equilibrium point
Maximum temperature profile
Electrical impedance
Optimal system state from noisy measurements
A Kalman filter fuses noisy sensor data with a dynamic model to estimate the true system state optimally over time, minimizing variance.
How can residual stress be measured in metals?
Schrödinger equation
X-ray diffraction
Ohm's law
Fourier transform
X-ray diffraction measures interplanar spacing changes caused by residual stresses in crystalline materials, allowing non-destructive stress evaluation.
What tool simplifies Boolean expressions graphically?
Karnaugh map
Bode plot
Smith chart
Mohr's circle
A Karnaugh map visually groups terms in a truth table to minimize Boolean expressions, aiding digital logic design.
What distinguishes RANS from LES turbulence models in CFD?
Both resolve molecular scale
RANS averages all turbulence, LES resolves large eddies
Both ignore turbulence
LES averages all turbulence, RANS resolves eddies
RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier - Stokes) models average turbulent fluctuations, modeling their effect, whereas LES (Large Eddy Simulation) directly resolves large eddies and models only smaller scales. Each has different accuracy and computational cost.
What does electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyze?
Thermal conductivity
DC voltage drop
Impedance spectrum vs frequency
Magnetic field variation
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measures a cell's impedance over a range of frequencies to characterize reaction kinetics and transport processes.
What is the key property of a Lyapunov function in control theory?
Is always negative
Equals zero at equilibrium only
Always decreases along system trajectories
Increases energy
A Lyapunov function is a scalar measure that decreases over time for stable systems, proving stability without solving differential equations explicitly.
What does eigenvalue sensitivity analysis evaluate in structures?
Change of natural frequencies with parameters
Thermal stress due to temperature
Electrical conductivity variation
Static deflection under load
Eigenvalue sensitivity assesses how a structure's natural frequencies (eigenvalues) shift when system parameters like stiffness or mass change, informing robust design.
What is a Pareto front in multi-objective optimization?
Single-objective optimum
Minimum variance axis
Trade-off curve of non-dominated solutions
Global maximum point
The Pareto front represents solutions where no objective can be improved without degrading another, defining the trade-off boundary in multi-objective optimization.
Which waves dominate magnetohydrodynamics in plasma?
Sound waves
Surface waves
Torsional waves
Alfvén waves
In magnetohydrodynamics, Alfvén waves are transverse waves where ions oscillate in response to magnetic field lines, coupling fluid and magnetic dynamics.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze mechanical systems -

    Tackle a variety of engineering questions on force, motion, and energy to reinforce your understanding of core mechanics concepts.

  2. Interpret circuit functions -

    Solve engineering trivia on circuits to identify components and calculate voltages, currents, and resistances like a seasoned electrical engineer.

  3. Apply design methodologies -

    Use questions from our engineering quiz to practice systematic design thinking and optimize solutions for real-world challenges.

  4. Recognize essential terminology -

    Engage with trivia for engineers to master key vocabulary across mechanics, circuits, and design disciplines.

  5. Sharpen analytical problem-solving -

    Boost your confidence by racing through timed engineering questions, improving speed and accuracy in tackling complex scenarios.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Statics Equilibrium Fundamentals -

    Review the core equilibrium conditions ΣF = 0 and ΣM = 0 to solve force and moment balance problems in structures and mechanisms and to excel in engineering questions on statics. Practice with a simple beam example, summing vertical forces and moments about a pivot point to find reaction forces. A handy mnemonic is "F and M in the 'O'" to recall both sums must zero out for true equilibrium.

  2. Ohm's Law & Circuit Analysis -

    Master the relationship V = I·R and Kirchhoff's Laws to tackle series and parallel resistor networks - classics in engineering trivia and quizzes. Try calculating equivalent resistance for resistors in series (Re = R1 + R2) versus parallel (1/Re = 1/R1 + 1/R2) using sample circuits. Remember "Eli the Iceman" (E = IR) to lock in Ohm's Law.

  3. Stress-Strain Behavior & Material Properties -

    Understand stress σ = F/A and strain ε = ΔL/L alongside key material constants like Young's modulus (E) from university materials labs and ASM Handbooks. Explore a stress-strain curve to identify yield strength, ultimate strength, and elastic limit. A quick mnemonic "Silly Young Engineers Yield" helps remember Stress, Young's modulus, Elastic limit, Yield point.

  4. First Law of Thermodynamics -

    Familiarize yourself with ΔU = Q − W for closed systems to analyze energy conservation in engines or refrigeration cycles. Work through an example of isothermal gas expansion where Q = W, keeping internal energy constant. Visualizing the P”V diagram can boost your performance in any thermodynamics question on an engineering quiz.

  5. Design Process & Failure Analysis -

    Review the five stages - define, ideate, prototype, test, and iterate - and incorporate FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) for risk mitigation from ISO standards. Practice drafting a brief Project Design Specification (PDS) to clarify requirements before jumping into CAD. Remember the acronym "DIPTF" (Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test, Feedback) as you tackle design-based engineering trivia.

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