Mechanical Comprehension for Technical & Trade Roles: Forces, Gears, Pulleys & Levers

Why it matters

Mechanical comprehension screens for aptitude in technical trades and engineering pathways. Questions are visual and often solvable with qualitative reasoning.

Core principles (fast refresher)

• Levers: Mechanical Advantage (MA) = load arm ÷ effort arm.

• Gears: Meshed gears rotate opposite; gear ratio = teethA/teethB.

• Pulleys: Effort ≈ load ÷ number of supporting rope segments.

• Pressure: P = F/A; smaller area → higher pressure.

Timing plan

Sketch quickly, label directions/forces, and prefer qualitative answers when arithmetic gets long.

Conclusion

A small toolkit covers most items. Combine rules with fast diagrams and you’ll unlock marks efficiently.