Electrical; Computers; Ethics

Workshop Solutions

Spring 2013

Workshop Notes
FE Electrical General
Problem and Solution Set

Introduction
Problems and Solutions
I.

Electrical Circuits

II.

Computers

III.

Problems 1-35, Pages 4-41

Problems 1-18, Pages 43-60

Ethics

Problems 1-28, Pages 62-93

Electrical Circuits
Problems and Solutions

Workshop Notes
Problem 1
What is the exerted force on the center charge for the system of three collinear charges X, Y, and Z?
Qx = 2C, QY = 2C, QZ = 8C. Assume = 8.85 x 10 F/m
4m

6m

Solutions:
Page 193 from Supplied Reference Handbook

4m

FY

2 x 2
2 x 8

4SH (6 - 4) 2 4SH (4) 2

0 N

Fx

Fz

6m

Therefore, There is no force on the center charge Y. The correct answer is (A).
4

Workshop Notes
Problem 2
A point X with coordinates (10, 12.25) carrying a 10 C charge is separated by air from point Y
(10.25, 12) carrying a 20 C charge. What is the force between them?

Page 22 and 193 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution:

FY

Qx 10C

X (10, 12.25)

20C QY

FX

Y (10.25, 12)

The correct answer is (B).

5

Workshop Notes
Problem 3
An electric point charge of Q = 5 x 10 C is placed in a vacuum. If the permittivity of free space
is 8.854 x 10 F/m, the field strength at a distance of 1m from the charge is approximately
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

1.2 x 10 V/m
4.5 x 10 V/m
12 x 10 V/m
15 x 10 V/m

Page 193 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution:
The electric field strength, E, at a distance r from the charge Q is given by
E
E

Q
4SH 0 r 2
5 x 10 -10 C
(4S )(8.854 x 10 -12 F / m)(1 x 10 -6 m) 2

4.5 x 1012 V/m

The correct answer is (B).

Workshop Notes
Problem 4
What is the work required to move a positive charge of 10C for a distance of 5m in the same direction
as a uniform field of 50 V/m?

Page 193 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution:
The work required to move a charge in a uniform field is:

p1

Q Ed L
p2

QEd

The positive charge moves in the direction of the field; thus, no external work is required, and the
charge returns potential energy to the field.
The correct answer is (A).
7

Workshop Notes
Problem 5
A coil with an inductance of 11 mH has a current of 5mA passing through it. The magnetic energy
stored in the coil is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

0.14 J
0.55 J
1.6 J
5.6 J

Page 195 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution:
The magnetic energy, U, stored in a conductor whose inductance is L and current is I is

U
U
U

1 2
LI
2
1
-3
-3
2
(11 x 10 H)(5 x 10 A)
2
1.375 x 10 -7 J (0.14 PJ)

The correct answer is (A).

8

Workshop Notes
Problem 6
A particle with a charge of Q = 1.6 x 10 C is to be moved between points A and B. The points have
a potential difference between them of VAB = 3000 V. The work required to move the charge is
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

- 4.8 x 10 J
- 4.8 x 10 J
- 16 x 10 J
- 20 x 10 J

Solution:
The work, W, required is given by
W = - QVAB

W = - (1.6 x 10 C)(3000 V)
W = - 4.8 x 10 J
The correct answer is (B).
9

Workshop Notes
Problem 7
A conductor with a length of 0.4m carrying a current I is placed in a magnetic field with magnetic flux
density of 0.01 T. The field and current direction are orthogonal. If the field exerts a force of 2 x 10
N on the conductor, the current in the conductor is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

1.0 A
5.0 A
10 A
15 A

Page 193 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution:
The force exerted by the field on the conductor is the product of the current, length, and magnetic flux
density.

ILB

F
LB

2 x 10 -2 N
(0.4m)(0.01 T)

5.0 A

The correct answer is (B).

10

Workshop Notes
Problem 8
A square metal plate with a 30 cm width carries 12 C. What is the electric field 2 cm
away from the center of the plate?

Solution:

The correct answer is C.

11

Workshop Notes
Problem 9
A conductor at 20C has a resistivity = 1.77 x
m. The conductor is 1,000 m long
and is 1mm in diameter. What is the resistance of the conductor?
A. 20.5 Ohms
B. 22.5 Ohms

Area = r = (/4)d

C. 2.25 Ohms

A
.
D. 2.50 Ohms

Solution:

Page 194 from Supplied Reference Handbook

The correct answer is B.

12

Workshop Notes
Problem 10

A. 0.32
B. 0.38
C. 0.26
D. 0.43
Page 194 from Supplied Reference Handbook

The correct answer is C.

13

Workshop Notes
Problem 11
An electric heater consists of two resistors in series. At 20C, they have resistances of 300 and
150 , and average temperature coefficients of 0.001/C and 0.004/C respectively. What is most
nearly the total resistance at 50C?

Page 194 from Supplied Reference Handbook

14

Workshop Notes
Problem 11/Contd.

The correct answer is B.

15

Workshop Notes
Problem 12
What is the voltage across the R2 resistor (1) in the following circuit?
A.
B.
C.
D.

10V
5V
15V
1V

Solution:

Using Kirchoffs Voltage Law:

VR 2
I
VR 2

I ( R 2)
I1  I 2

0 A  10 A 10 A

10 A(1:) 10V

Thus, the correct answer is (A).

16

Workshop Notes
Problem 13
Find the currents through the following schematic?

R2
8

10 V

Solution:
Eq. 1
Eq. 2

The correct answer is (D).

17

Workshop Notes
Problem 14
Determine the current I and its direction from the following illustration.

Solution:

The correct answer is (B).

18

Workshop Notes
Problem 15

Page 197 from Supplied Reference Handbook

The correct answer is A.

19

Workshop Notes
Problem 16
What is the voltage across the 4 resistor R3 in the following circuit?

Solution:
Find the equivalent resistance and voltage:

The correct answer is (B).

20

Workshop Notes
Problem 17
What is the equivalent resistance of the circuit?

A.
B.
C.
D.

3.50
2.54
2.37
3.67

Solution:

The correct answer is (C).

Page 194 from Supplied Reference Handbook

21

Workshop Notes
Problem 18
What is the current I out of the battery for this circuit?

A.
B.
C.
D.

15.33 A
20.12 A
16.88 A
17.67 A

Solution:
From the previous problem: Req = 2.37

The correct answer is (C).

22

Workshop Notes
Problem 19
A 2 resistor observes a 2A current for 2 seconds followed by a 4A current for another 2 seconds.
What is the energy produced by the resistor over the 4 second time interval above?

Page 194 from Supplied Reference Handbook

23

Workshop Notes
Problem 19/Contd.

The correct answer is B.

24

Workshop Notes
Problem 20
Find the Thevenin equivalent resistance and voltage at AB in the following schematic.

IR3

VTH

Solution:
To find the Thevenin equivalent resistance we short circuit the power source. Therefore,
R1 is bypassed or shorted.

The correct answer is (D).

25

Workshop Notes
Problem 21
What are the Norton equivalent current source and resistance values for the circuit shown?

A. In = 2 A, RN = 15
B. In = 1 A, RN = 15
C. In = 2 A, RN = 3.33
D. In = 1 A, RN = 3.33

ISC

Solution:
To find RN, the voltage source is shorted; then, the short circuit current is measured through
terminals AB. Thus, R1 is bypassed or shorted.

The correct answer is (C).

26

Workshop Notes
Problem 22
What is the equivalent capacitance of the circuit shown?

Solution:

The correct answer is (B).

Page 195 from Supplied Reference Handbook

27

Workshop Notes
Problem 23

The correct answer is A.

28

Workshop Notes
Problem 24
What is the equivalent inductance for the circuit shown?

Solution:

The correct answer is (B).

29

Workshop Notes
Problem 25
What is the DC current through the inductor in the following circuit?

The correct answer is A.

30

Workshop Notes
Problem 26
If the current flowing through the circuit is 10A, what is the total energy stored in the
circuit inductors?

10A

Page 195 from Supplied Reference Handbook

The correct answer is D.
31

Workshop Notes
Problem 27
What is the effective current in the graph shown?
A. 50 A
B. 35.36 A
C. 25 A
D. 0 A

Solution:

Page 195 from Supplied Reference Handbook

The rms value is calculated form the peak value.

I RMS

I MAX

50 A

| 35.36 A

The correct answer is B.

32

Workshop Notes
Problem 28
What is the resonant frequency of the circuit shown?

Page 196 from Supplied Reference Handbook

The correct answer is D.

33

Workshop Notes
Problem 29

Determine most nearly:

a) The transformer turns ratio, a = N1/N2
b) The values of I1 and I2 in amps
c) The primary-to-secondary impedance ratio
d) The reflected input impedance in ohms

34

Workshop Notes
Problem 29/Contd.
Solution:
120 V
12 V

10

V2
RL

12V
10:

1.2 A

I2
a

1.2 A
10

0.12 A

Z1

V1
I1

120V
0.12 A

Z2

V2
I2

12V
1.2 A

a)

b)

I2
I1

c)

Z1

d)

V1
V2

Z2

RIN

Page 198 from Supplied Reference Handbook

1000:

a 2 RL

1000 :
10:

10:

100

a2

(10) 2 x (10:) 1000:

35

Workshop Notes
Problem 30
A three-phase, 60Hz induction motor has a nameplate speed of 1800 rpm. This motor has how many
poles?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

2.0
4.0
4.5
6.0

Page 198 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution:
Synchronous speed is given by 120 f / p where f is frequency in Hertz and p is the number of poles.

120 f
nS

(120) x (60 Hz)

1800 rpm

4.0

Thus, the correct answer is (B).

36

Workshop Notes
Problem 31
What is the most correct statement that describes the phenomenon called aliasing in
sampling theorem?
(A)
(B)
(C)

(D)

Aliasing is the presence of wanted components in the reconstructed signal.

Aliasing occurs when signal frequencies do not overlap if the sampling frequency
is too low.
Aliasing is a phenomenon where the high frequency components of the sampled
signal interfere with each other because of inadequate sampling.
All of the above.

Solution:
Aliasing leads to distortion in recovered signal. This is the reason why sampling
frequency should be at least twice the bandwidth of the signal.
The correct answer is (C).

37

Workshop Notes
Problem 32
A 12-bit analog-to-digital converter has a resolution of 1.75864 x 10 V/bit and the sum of the lowest
voltage and highest voltage is 12.8V. The highest voltage is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

10 V
14 V
11 V
12 V

Page 110 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution;
VH VL = 2v = 2 bits x (1.75864 x 10 V/bit ) = 7.2 V
VH VL = 7.2 V
VH + VL = 12.8 V

(given in problem statement)

Solving two equation with two unknowns,

2VH = 20 V
VH = 10 V
Thus, the correct answer is (A).
38

Workshop Notes
Problem 33
An engineer needs to design an analog-to-digital converter with a lowest voltage of 10 V and a
highest voltage of 20 V, and a voltage resolution, v, equal to 0.000152588 V/bit. The number-bit of
the analog-to-digital converter is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

10 bit
8 bit
16 bit
12 bit

Page 110 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution:

2n
n

VH  VL

HV

20V  10V
| 65536
0.000152588

log 2 65536 16

Therefore, the converter should be designed to be a 16-bit analog-to-digital converter.

The correct answer is (C).
39

Workshop Notes
Problem 34
What is the voltage resolution of a 8-bit analog-to-digital converter if its highest voltage is
24 V and its lowest voltage is 12 V?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

6.2358 x 10 V/bit
4.5875 x 10 V/bit
5.3298 x 10 V/bit
4.6875 x 10 V/bit

Solution:

HV
HV

VH  VL
2n
12V
256 bits

24V  12V
28
4.6875 x 10 -2 V/bit

The correct answer is (D).

40

Workshop Notes
Problem 35
An analog-to-digital converter has produced 12 bits when its lowest voltage was 10V
and its resolution 0.004488 V/bit. Find the discrete voltage value.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

10.235 V
10.054 V
10.077 V
10.653 V

Page 110 from Supplied Reference Handbook

Solution:

H V N  VL

(0.004488 V / bit )(12 bits )  10V

V | 10.054V
Thus, the discrete voltage value is 10.054 V for a reading of 12 bits when the lowest
voltage was 10V.
The correct answer is (B).
41

Computers
Problems and Solutions

42

Workshop Notes
Problem 1
What does CPU stand for in a computer system?

(A) Certified Processor Unit

(B) Complex Processing Unit
(C) Central Processing Unit
(D) Computer Program Unit
Solution:
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. This is where all the computer's data processing is
handled - all the data manipulation, calculations and formatting data for output.
The correct answer is (C).

43

Workshop Notes
Problem 2
What type of computer memory stores a permanent set of start-up instructions, fixed at the time of the
chips manufacture?
(A) RAM
(B) ROM
(C) DRAM
(D) HDD
Solution:
Your computers ROM is a chip on the motherboard that stores a permanent set of start-up
instructions for your computer. Generally you can not alter the information in ROM; it is fixed at the
time of manufacture.
The correct answer is (B).

44

Workshop Notes
Problem 3
Which is larger a bit or a byte in computer terminology?

(A) a bit is larger than a byte

(B) a byte is larger than a bit
(C) a byte is equal to a bit
(D) None of the above.
Solution:
A bit is the smallest piece of information used by the computer. Derived from "binary digit".
In computer language, a bit is either a one (1) or a zero (0). A byte is a piece of computer information
made up of eight bits. Thus, a byte is larger than a bit.

The correct answer is (B).

45

Workshop Notes
Problem 4
What is the clock speed of a computer processor?

(A) The speed of the processor when the computer is fully charged
(B) The speed of a computer processor in a moving vehicle
(C) The speed of the rotating hard disk of a computer
(D) The frequency (MHz) of a computers processor
Solution:
The execution of the instructions within the computer system is extremely fast and is measured in
cycles of time and referred to as megahertz. For this reason the MHz of a computers processor is
sometimes referred to as its clock speed. This pulsing is expressed as megahertz (MHz).

The correct answer is (D).

46

Workshop Notes
Problem 5
What type of computer memory stores information in a temporary notepad fashion in a computer
system?
(A) RAM
(B) ROM
(C) HDD
(D) CD - ROM
Solution:
RAM means Random Access Memory" (or sometimes "ready access memory"). It is like a temporary
notepad where your computer sends information it has processed before writing it to disk, or where
instructions from other input devices (keyboard, mouse floppy drive) are stored. The words "random
access" indicate that memory locations in RAM are accessible in any order unlike sequential access
of a data cassette tape, for example.
The correct answer is (A).

47

Workshop Notes
Problem 6
What is the operating system in a computer?

(A) A set of programs directly controlled by the computer operator.

(B) A set of programs that run the system and make all the other programs work.
(C) A set of programs in a computer that run when the computer is off.
(D) A set of programs in a computer that only work at boot-up.
Solution:
Every computer needs a set of programs called the operating system to run the system and make all
the other programs work. The word processor, database or spreadsheet programs can not operate
unless the operating system is present. Programs written for one operating system will not work on a
different operating system. Common operating systems include: Windows 7, Vista, Macintosh OSX
and Linux. There are many versions aimed at different uses.
The correct answer is (B).

48

Workshop Notes
Problem 7
A computer program contains the following segment:

49

Workshop Notes
Problem 8

50

Workshop Notes
Problem 9

INT(n) = m

mn

A#

10.4

10

- 10.4

- 11

51

Workshop Notes
Problem 10
What would be the output of the following FORTRAN program?

10 DEF FNA (X,Y) = X*2 + X*3

20 DATA 3,2,4
30 READ B(1), C, D
40 PRINT FNA (B(1), B(1))
50 PRINT FNA (C/D, C*D)
60 END

X*Y
B(1) = 3, C = 2, D = 4
Call FNA for (3, 3)
Call FNA for (, 8)

F(x, y) = 2x + 3x xy
= 5x xy

FNA (3, 3) = 15 9 = 6
FNA (, 8) = 5/2 8/2 = - 3/2 = - 1.5

52

Workshop Notes
Problem 11

J = J + I

Pass

34

I=3

Exit
Go to 16

53

Workshop Notes
Problem 12

11.5 10 3
3 3
A 1.1  5 4 2 
 1.1  223 
4
4 4
4

224.1

54

Workshop Notes
Problem 13

55

Workshop Notes
Problem 14

B7*9

C7*9

7
8

56

Workshop Notes
Problem 15

7 = 28

57

Workshop Notes
Problem 16
In a spreadsheet what is the easier way to write C5 + C6 + C7 + C8 + C9 + C10?

(A) sum(C5:C10)
(B) @C5..C10
(C) sum(B5:B10)
(D) total(C5:C10)

Solution: Answer is A
sum(C5:C10) or Sum(C5:C10) or @sum(C5:C10) or Sum(C5:C10); it is not case sensitive.

58

Workshop Notes
Problem 17

= 64
= 519

59

Workshop Notes
Problem 18
In a spreadsheet, the content in cell A4 is set to 6. Then, A5 is set to A4 + $A$4. This formula is
copied into cells A6 and A7. The number that appears in Cell 7 is most nearly:

$A$4 = 6
6

=
=
=
=

A4
A4 + $A$4
A5 + $A$4
A6 + $A$4

6+6

12

6 12+6

18

7 18+6

24

60

Ethics
Problems and Solutions

61

Workshop Notes
Problem 1

62

Workshop Notes
Problem 2

63

Workshop Notes
Problem 3

64

Workshop Notes
Problem 4

65

Workshop Notes
Problem 5

66

Workshop Notes
Problem 6

67

Workshop Notes
Problem 7

68

Workshop Notes
Problem 8

69

Workshop Notes
Problem 9

70

Workshop Notes
Problem 10

71

Workshop Notes
Problem 11

72

Workshop Notes
Problem 12

73

Workshop Notes
Problem 13

74

Workshop Notes
Problem 14

75

Workshop Notes
Problem 15

76

Workshop Notes
Problem 16

77

Workshop Notes
Problem 17

78

Workshop Notes
Problem 17 (Contd.)

79

Workshop Notes
Problem 18

80

Workshop Notes
Problem 19

81

Workshop Notes
Problem 19 (Contd.)

82

Workshop Notes
Problem 20

83

Workshop Notes
Problem 21

84

Workshop Notes
Problem 22

85

Workshop Notes
Problem 23

86

Workshop Notes
Problem 24

To recuse = To disqualify oneself. To remove oneself from participation.

87

Workshop Notes
Problem 25

88

Workshop Notes
Problem 25 (Contd.)
Solution: Answer is C.

Giving few hours additional time is reasonable but week late is not fair to other bidders unless they
were provided the same time in advance. Opening bids and letting estimator of the sixth company
know is not acceptable. Choice C is the right way.

89

Workshop Notes
Problem 26

90

Workshop Notes
Problem 27

91

Workshop Notes
Problem 28

92

Workshop Notes
Problem 28
Solution: Answer is D

Mike can not authorize technician to seal plans without the review of Luis who is responsible. City
engineer is not the responsible engineer either. Only choice here is wait until Luis reviews and
authorizes sealing of work.

93