Engineering Studies 2016 HSC exam pack

Question 21

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying a benefit of the modular seating system (part a i)
• explaining the relationship between components of composite materials (part a ii)
• applying the relevant engineering formula (part a iii)
• applying knowledge of engineering materials to real life situations (part b).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• outlining benefits of the modular seating system (part a i)
• explaining the service properties of modern engineering materials (part a ii and part b)
• using the correct units and power of 10 in calculations (part a iii).

Question 22

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying contributions to the advancement of telecommunications (part a)
• identifying methods of generating electricity (part b)
• extending the partially completed sectioned drawing to represent the bolt and flat plate (part c).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• using appropriate technical terminology (parts a and b)
• applying AS 1100 drawing standards, especially in the areas of sectioning, hatching and representations of threads, both internally and externally (part c).

Question 23

Candidates showed strength in the following areas:

• identifying benefits of AS 1100 drawing standards (part a)
• stating properties of asphalt (part b)
• identifying properties of geotextiles (part b ii)
• selecting an appropriate formula and method to calculate the power required (part c).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• explaining the benefits of AS 1100 drawing standards (part a)
• outlining the properties of asphalt that make it suitable for use as highway pavement surfaces (part b i)
• understanding why geotextiles are used in the construction of highway pavements (part b ii)
• using compatible SI units for power calculations (part c).

Question 24

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying the characteristics of laminated glass and toughened glass (part a)
• identifying a reason for using an aluminium alloy (part b)
• identifying relevant features of rubber or steel (part c)
• using the stress formula (part d).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• understanding that high tensile steel wire limits distortion of tyres, for example, the steel wire helps the tyre to maintain shape and stay on the wheel rim (part c)
• setting out mathematical calculations in a logical manner (part d)
• using the more appropriate circle area formula of πd2/4 rather than πr2 (part d)
• applying the factor of safety correctly to determine the allowable stress (part d)
• correctly manipulating SI units and prefixes such as MPa, kN, m, mm, mm2 (part d).

Question 25

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying an appropriate factor to enable lift (part a i)
• naming a suitable polymer manufacturing method (part a ii)
• stating a feature of cable control systems (part b)
• using a suitable diagram to illustrate drag (part c).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• explaining how drones achieve lift and flight (part a i)
• describing a suitable manufacturing method for carbon fibre composite propellers (part a ii)
• contrasting cable control systems and ‘fly-by-wire’ systems (part b)
• explaining the relationship between profile shape and induced drag (part c).

Question 26

Candidates showed strengths in these areas:

• demonstrating an understanding of summing moments and vertical forces (part a i)
• determining the nature of the compressive force in member M (part a ii)
• visualising the forces and calculating the force in member M using trigonometry (part a ii)
• recognising that the redundant member carries no load (part b)
• identifying an improvement in mechanical properties that results from normalising (part c)
• recognising that normalising promotes an equi-axed grain structure (part c).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• understanding the effect of the horizontal force on the structure (part a i)
• recognising that reactions can go in any direction and that forces may create positive or negative moments based on their directions (part a i)
• applying the most effective method to calculate the force (part a ii)
• understanding what a redundant truss member is (part b)
• drawing and labelling microstructures (part c).

Question 27

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying benefits of the different transport systems (part a)
• recognising the connection between improvements in modern motor technology and the decrease in fuel consumption (part b)
• identifying the use of lighter materials as a recent innovation in transport (part b).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• providing a clear explanation as to ‘how’ an identified innovation has affected the environment (part b).