Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Mechanical Comprehension (MC) Syllabus

Mechanical Comprehension (MC) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Mechanical Comprehension (MC) in Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Principles of Mechanics

   3 topics

   • Forces and Equilibrium
     • Force, mass, and acceleration
     • Balanced and unbalanced forces
     • Friction and tension
   • Work, Energy, and Power
     • Mechanical work and power
     • Potential and kinetic energy
     • Conservation of energy
   • Pressure and Fluids
     • Hydraulics and Pascal's principle
     • Buoyancy and density
     • Pressure in liquids and gases
2. 2

   Simple Machines

   4 topics

   • Levers and Mechanical Advantage
     • First, second, and third-class levers
     • Calculating mechanical advantage
   • Pulleys and Gears
     • Fixed and movable pulleys
     • Gear ratios and rotation direction
   • Inclined Planes, Wedges, and Screws
     • Ramps and effort reduction
     • Wedges and screws
   • Wheels, Axles, and Belts
     • Wheel-and-axle systems
     • Belt and chain drives
3. 3

   Structural and Material Properties

   3 topics

   • Structural Support and Stress
     • Compression and tension in structures
     • Load distribution and stability
   • Properties of Materials
     • Strength, elasticity, and density
     • Center of gravity
   • Mechanical Motion Devices
     • Cams, cranks, and pistons
     • Springs and shock absorption

Mechanical Comprehension (MC) flashcards for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

24 of 51 cards from the Mechanical Comprehension (MC) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a force, and in what unit is it measured?

   A force is a push or pull that can change an object's motion or shape. It is measured in newtons (N) in SI units, or pounds (lb) in the US customary system.

2. What is the condition for an object to be in static equilibrium?

   The net force on it is zero AND the net torque (moment) is zero, so the object remains at rest with no linear or rotational acceleration.

3. State Newton's Second Law of Motion as a formula.

   F = m × a (force equals mass times acceleration).

4. What is the difference between mass and weight?

   Mass is the amount of matter in an object (kilograms) and is constant everywhere. Weight is the gravitational force on that mass (W = m × g) and changes with gravity.

5. How do you calculate the weight of an object on Earth?

   W = m × g, where g ≈ 9.8 m/s² (about 32 ft/s²). For example, a 10 kg object weighs about 98 N.

6. What is torque (moment), and how is it calculated?

   Torque is the rotational effect of a force about a pivot. Torque = Force × perpendicular distance from the pivot (τ = F × d).

7. What does it mean for a beam to be balanced on a fulcrum in terms of torque?

   The clockwise torque equals the counterclockwise torque: F1 × d1 = F2 × d2 on opposite sides of the fulcrum.

8. What is the resultant of two forces acting in the same direction on an object?

   They add together; the resultant equals their sum, acting in that same direction (e.g., 30 N + 20 N = 50 N).

9. What is the net force when two equal forces act in exactly opposite directions?

   Zero. The forces cancel, so the object stays in equilibrium (no acceleration).

10. What is the formula for work done by a force?

    Work = Force × distance (W = F × d), where the distance is measured in the direction of the force. Unit: joule (J) = newton-meter.

11. If you push an object with 50 N over 4 meters, how much work is done?

    W = F × d = 50 N × 4 m = 200 joules.

12. How much work is done holding a heavy box still without moving it?

    Zero work, because work requires movement (distance) in the direction of the force. No displacement means no mechanical work.

13. What is the formula for power, and what is its unit?

    Power = Work / time (P = W / t), measured in watts (W), where 1 watt = 1 joule per second.

14. What is the difference between kinetic energy and potential energy?

    Kinetic energy is energy of motion (KE = ½mv²). Potential energy is stored energy due to position or condition (e.g., gravitational PE = mgh).

15. State the law of conservation of energy.

    Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. The total energy in a closed system stays constant.

16. What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?

    PE = m × g × h (mass × gravitational acceleration × height above a reference point).

17. How is pressure defined and calculated?

    Pressure is force applied per unit area: P = Force / Area. Common units are pascals (Pa = N/m²) and pounds per square inch (psi).

18. How does increasing the area over which a force acts affect pressure?

    Increasing the area decreases the pressure (for the same force), since pressure is inversely proportional to area.

19. State Pascal's Principle.

    Pressure applied to an enclosed (confined) fluid is transmitted equally and undiminished in all directions throughout the fluid.

20. How does a hydraulic system multiply force?

    A small force on a small-area piston creates pressure transmitted to a large-area piston, producing a larger force. Force multiplies in proportion to the ratio of the piston areas.

21. State Archimedes' Principle of buoyancy.

    The buoyant force on a submerged or floating object equals the weight of the fluid it displaces.

22. What determines whether an object floats or sinks in a fluid?

    Density. If the object is less dense than the fluid it floats; if denser, it sinks. Equivalently, it floats if buoyant force ≥ its weight.

23. How does fluid pressure change with depth?

    Pressure increases with depth because of the weight of the fluid above. Deeper points experience greater pressure.

24. What is a lever, and what are its three parts?

    A lever is a rigid bar that pivots about a fixed point. Its three parts are the fulcrum (pivot), the effort (applied force), and the load (resistance).

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