Engineering Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on key engineering terms: blueprints, tolerance, stress, prototypes and load. B1–B2 level.
Keep building your engineering vocabulary.
Engineering Vocabulary — FAQ
Stress is the internal force per unit area within a material caused by an external load. Strain is the resulting deformation, measured as the change in length divided by the original length. In short, stress is the cause and strain is the effect: applying stress to a material produces strain.
A blueprint is a detailed technical drawing that shows the dimensions, materials and construction details of an object or structure. Originally produced as white lines on a blue background, the term is now used generally for any precise engineering or architectural plan.
Tolerance is the permitted amount of variation in a measured dimension. Because no part can be made perfectly to size, engineers specify an acceptable range. A part is acceptable if its actual measurement falls within the stated tolerance of the ideal value.
A prototype is an early, often functional model of a product built to test and evaluate a design before full production. Prototypes let engineers check that a design works, identify problems and gather feedback, reducing the risk and cost of mistakes in mass production.
Tension is a pulling force that tries to stretch or pull a material apart. Compression is a pushing force that tries to squeeze or shorten it. Many structures must be designed to resist both, since different parts of a beam or frame experience tension and compression at the same time.
Torque is a turning or twisting force that causes rotation about an axis. It is the product of a force and the distance from the pivot point. Torque is important in engines, gears, fasteners and any machine that involves rotating parts.
Elasticity is a material's ability to return to its original shape after a deforming force is removed. Plasticity is the tendency to keep a new shape permanently after the force is removed. Most materials behave elastically up to a point, then deform plastically if stressed further.
A load is any force, weight or pressure that a structure or component must support or resist. Loads can be static (constant, like the weight of a building) or dynamic (changing, like wind or traffic). Calculating loads correctly is essential for safe design.
Welding is a process of joining two pieces of metal (or thermoplastic) by heating them until they melt and fuse together, often with added filler material. It creates a strong, permanent joint and is widely used in construction, manufacturing and repair.
A pulley is a simple machine made of a wheel with a grooved rim around which a rope or cable runs. It is used to lift loads or change the direction of a force. Combining several pulleys creates a system that reduces the effort needed to move a heavy load.