Basic Mechanics

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Forces and Motion

Topics: Measuring forces; Describing motion; Acceleration; Types of motion; Newton's Laws of Motion

Learning Objectives:

• Name five ways forces originate.
• Explain how forces are measured.
• Define velocity, acceleration, and elastic distortion.
• Define rotary motion and reciprocating motion.
• State and explain Newton's Laws of Motion

Chapter 2: Work, Energy, and Power

Topics: Defining and measuring work; Torque; Energy; Law of Conservation of Energy; Kinetic and potential energy; Power; Horsepower; Calories; Btu

Learning Objectives:

• Define work, and explain how to calculate it.
• Define the terms torque and prime mover.
• Define energy, and tell how it is measured.
• Differentiate between kinetic and potential energy, and give an example of each one.
• Define power and horsepower, and tell how each is measured.

Chapter 3: Fluid Mechanics

Topics: Fluids and forces; Measuring fluid pressure; Velocity head vs static pressure head; Bernoulli effect; Venturi tubes; Friction head; The siphon

Learning Objectives:

• Define a fluid.
• Define pressure, and identify common units of pressure measurement.
• State Pascal's Law, and give an example of its application.
• Explain the difference between gage pressure and absolute pressure.
• Explain the Bernoulli Effect, and give three examples of how it is utilized in industry.
• Explain how a siphon works.

Chapter 4: Simple Machines

Topics: Levers; Wheel and axle; Gear trains; Inclined planes; Wedges; Cam-and-follower devices; The screw; Pulleys; Mechanical efficiency

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and name six types of simple machines.
• Calculate the ideal mechanical advantage of each of six simple machines.
• Describe the action and purpose of cam-and-follower mechanisms.
• Determine the ideal mechanical advantage of several simple gear trains.
• Explain mechanical efficiency and show how to calculate it.

Chapter 5: Machine Elements

Topics: Machine motions; Mechanisms; Lever and four-bar linkages; Devices for producing linear motion; Ratchet-and-pawl and fluid-power mechanisms

Learning Objectives:

• List the four classifications of mechanisms.
• Name the six basic motion conversions, and give an example of each.
• Explain the functions of bell cranks, Pitman arms, and toggle bars.
• Name three types of four-bar linkages, and explain how they function.
• Describe the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism.

Chapter 6: Measurement Tools and Instruments

Topics: Classification of instruments; Measurements in maintenance; Process monitoring and quality assurance; Predictive maintenance

Learning Objectives:

• Define measurement, parameter, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and range.
• Explain why measurements are important to maintenance operations.
• Describe the general features of a portable measurement instrument.
• List the basic measurement instruments most often used in mechanical maintenance, and describe the operating principles of each.

Chapter 7: The Safe Use of Hand Tools

Topics: Screwdrivers; Wrenches; Hammers and mallets; Chisels; Punches; Saws; Files and rasps; Snips, nippers, and cutters; Pliers; Organizing tools

Learning Objectives:

• Name the major hand tools used in maintenance.
• State criteria for selecting the proper tools for specific jobs.
• Identify safe/unsafe practices in the use of hand tools and explain why they are safe/unsafe.
• Explain how to prolong the useful life of selected hand tools.
• Explain the advantages of having a well-organized tool box.

Chapter 8: The Safe Use of Portable Power Tools

Topics: Hazards; Protection against shock; Drills, sanders, grinders, saws, shears, impact wrenches, and rotary hammers; Pneumatic tools

Learning Objectives:

• State three precautions to take before using any power tool.
• Describe the safe use of each of the following power tools: electric drills, sanders, grinders, and saws; electric impact tools; pneumatic impact wrenches and hammers.
• State three general guidelines for the safe operation of any portable power tool.
• Describe the potential electrical hazards associated with electric power tools.

Chapter 9: Fasteners

Topics: Threaded fasteners; Screw threads; Types of nuts; Washers; Safety wiring; Keys and pins; Rivets

Learning Objectives:

• Identify seven major types of threaded fasteners.
• Read and interpret common screw thread and threaded fastener specifications.
• Describe the three actions in a manual riveting operation, and explain why each action must be done properly.
• Demonstrate the proper technique for safety wiring a group of threaded fasteners.
• Identify three kinds of washers.

Chapter 10: Friction and Wear

Topics: Nature of friction, its causes and importance; Static and kinetic friction; Measuring friction; Coefficients of friction; Wear; Static electricity

Learning Objectives:

• Define friction, identify the forces that cause it, and describe its effects.
• Differentiate between static friction and kinetic friction.
• Define coefficient of friction.
• Calculate the expected friction force between two surfaces, given the normal force and the coefficient of friction.
• Describe four types of wear.

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