FAA A&P General Oral Questions- Physics

What are the parts of a lever?

A rigid bar and a pivot point called the fulcrum.

A wheelbarrow is an example of what class of lever?

A second class lever.

Define matter.

Any substance that occupies space and has mass.

What is the term used to describe the ratio between the amount of moisture actually present in the atmosphere as compared to the amount the air could hold if it were completely saturated?

Relative humidity.

What is friction?

The opposition to relative motion between two objects in contact with each other.

How does blade-flapping help to compensate for dissymmetry of lift in helicopter main rotor system?

Flapping increases the angle of attack and lift on the retreating blade and decreases the angle of attack and lift on the advancing blade.

Work is the product of what two factors?

Force and distance moved (W=FxD)

What formula expresses the relationship between force, pressure, and area?

Force equals area times pressure. F=AxP

What is the atmospheric pressure at sea level on a standard day?

29.92 inches of Mercury or 1013.2 millibars.

On a standard day at sea level, what is the value for temperature?

59°F or 15°C.

What is the approximate speed of sound at sea level on a standard day?

661 knots or 340 meters per second.

What term defines the tempature at which all molecular motion ceases.

Absolute Zero

Are all three states of matter affected by thermal expansion and if so, which state is affect most?

All three states are affected with gases being affected the most.

What is the term that describes the angle between the relative wind and the chord line of an airfoil?

Angle of attack.

Name the 3 methods of heat transfer?

Conduction, convection, and radiation.

How does the airflow through the main rotor of a helicopter change during the transition from normal flight to autorotation?

During normal flight the air moves downward and during autorotation the air moves upward.

Define kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.

What are the principle effects that result from lowering the flaps while in flight?

Lift increases, drag increases, and stall speed decreases.

What are the four principle forces acting on an airplane in flight?

Lift, drag, thrust, and gravity.

Can liquids be compressed?

No, liquids are generally considered incompressible.

What are the customary units used to express hydraulic or pneumatic pressure in the United States?

PSI (Pounds per square inch)

Describe how pressure is transmitted when a force is applied to a confined liquid.

Pressure is transmitted equally in all directions.

Matter may exist in what 3 states?

Solid, liquid and gas.

What are the forces that cause an airplane wing to stall?

Stall is caused when the angle of attack exceeds a critical value and the airflow seperates from the upper surface and becomes turbulent.

What are the factors that determine density altitude?

Temperature and atmospheric pressure.

What is a British Thermal Unit?

The amount of heat energy required to change the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.

What is the function of a wing mounted vortex generator?

Vortex generators delay or keep the airflow from separating from the upper surface of a wing during high speed flight.