Mechanical Aptitude
Mechanical aptitude tests intuitive physics: levers, pulleys, gears, wheels and axles, inclined planes, and basic fluid and pressure ideas, plus simple tool and machine reasoning. You do not need advanced math-you need to reason about how force, motion, and balance work. For levers, the load times its distance from the fulcrum equals the effort times its distance; a longer effort arm means less force is needed. For pulleys, a single fixed pulley changes direction but not force; movable pulleys can reduce effort. For gears, meshed gears turn in opposite directions, and a larger gear turns slower than a small one driving it.
Traps include confusing direction of rotation, assuming a pulley or lever gives free force (it trades distance for force), and overlooking friction. Read each diagram description carefully and ask: which way does motion transfer?
Worked example: A 60-pound load sits 2 feet from a fulcrum. How much effort is needed 6 feet from the fulcrum? Load × load distance = effort × effort distance, so 60 × 2 = effort × 6, giving effort = 20 pounds. Rule of thumb: levers and pulleys trade force for distance-nothing is free.