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Question 1 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines The number of degrees of freedom of a planar four-bar mechanism is
Choose your answer for question 1 A. 3 B. 1 C. 2 D. 0Answer and explanation Correct answer: B
Using Gruebler’s equation F = 3(n − 1) − 2j − h = 3 × 3 − 2 × 4 − 0 = 1.
Question 2 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines A flywheel is used to
Choose your answer for question 2 A. balance the reciprocating masses B. reduce the fluctuation of speed during a cycle by storing energy C. transmit power between shafts D. control the mean speed against changes in loadAnswer and explanation Correct answer: B
It absorbs energy when the speed rises and gives it back when the speed falls. A governor controls the mean speed.
Question 3 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines A governor in an engine is used to
Choose your answer for question 3 A. increase the torque B. reduce vibrations C. maintain the mean speed when the load varies D. reduce the fluctuations in speed within a cycleAnswer and explanation Correct answer: C
It adjusts the fuel supply to the engine in response to load changes.
Question 4 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines A gear has a pitch circle diameter of 120 mm and 40 teeth. Its module is
Choose your answer for question 4 A. 30 mm B. 4.8 mm C. 3 mm D. 0.33 mmAnswer and explanation Correct answer: C
m = d/z = 120/40 = 3 mm.
Question 5 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines The pressure angle commonly used for standard involute gear teeth is
Choose your answer for question 5 A. 45° B. 60° C. 5° D. 20°Answer and explanation Correct answer: D
14.5° was used earlier but 20° full-depth teeth are now standard because they are stronger and avoid interference with fewer teeth.
Question 6 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines For a flat belt drive, the ratio of tight side to slack side tension is
Choose your answer for question 6 A. e^(−μθ) B. μθ C. e^(μθ) D. θ/μAnswer and explanation Correct answer: C
T1/T2 = e^(μθ), where θ is the angle of contact in radians.
Question 7 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines For a rotating system to be in static balance, it is necessary that
Choose your answer for question 7 A. the resultant couple is zero only B. the speed is zero C. the resultant centrifugal force is zero D. the shaft is rigidAnswer and explanation Correct answer: C
Static balance needs ΣF = 0. Dynamic balance also needs the resultant couple to be zero.
Question 8 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines A spring-mass system has a stiffness of 3600 N/m and a mass of 4 kg. Its natural frequency is
Choose your answer for question 8 A. 60 rad/s B. 30 rad/s C. 900 rad/s D. 15 rad/sAnswer and explanation Correct answer: B
ωn = √(k/m) = √(3600/4) = √900 = 30 rad/s.
Question 9 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines The base circle of a cam is
Choose your answer for question 9 A. the smallest circle drawn from the cam centre tangent to the cam profile B. the circle that passes through the pitch point C. the circle through the follower tip D. the largest circle that can be drawn on the camAnswer and explanation Correct answer: A
The follower is at its lowest position when it touches the base circle.
Question 10 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines A Hooke’s joint is used to connect two shafts which
Choose your answer for question 10 A. are collinear B. are parallel C. are perpendicular and do not intersect D. intersect at an angleAnswer and explanation Correct answer: D
A universal joint transmits motion between intersecting shafts, though the speed of the driven shaft fluctuates.
Question 11 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines In a simple gear train, the driver has 20 teeth and rotates at 600 rpm. The driven gear has 60 teeth. The speed of the driven gear is
Choose your answer for question 11 A. 300 rpm B. 1800 rpm C. 200 rpm D. 100 rpmAnswer and explanation Correct answer: C
N2 = N1 × (T1/T2) = 600 × 20/60 = 200 rpm.
Question 12 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines An idler gear in a gear train
Choose your answer for question 12 A. increases the torque B. reduces the number of teeth C. changes only the direction of rotation of the driven gear D. changes the speed ratioAnswer and explanation Correct answer: C
It does not alter the velocity ratio, as the idler’s tooth count cancels out.
Question 13 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines Coriolis acceleration is present when
Choose your answer for question 13 A. a link rotates about a fixed point with constant speed and no sliding B. a link moves in pure translation C. a point moves along a link that itself rotates D. all links are fixedAnswer and explanation Correct answer: C
The component is 2ωv, perpendicular to the sliding velocity, and arises in quick-return mechanisms and similar linkages.
Question 14 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines The speed of a flywheel varies between 290 rpm and 310 rpm. The coefficient of fluctuation of speed is
Choose your answer for question 14 A. 0.067 B. 0.033 C. 0.133 D. 0.0067Answer and explanation Correct answer: A
Cs = (N1 − N2) / Nmean = 20 / 300 = 0.067.
Question 15 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines The maximum power is transmitted by a belt when the centrifugal tension is equal to
Choose your answer for question 15 A. zero B. half of the maximum permissible tension C. the maximum permissible tension D. one-third of the maximum permissible tensionAnswer and explanation Correct answer: D
From P = (T − Tc)(1 − e^(−μθ))v, dP/dv = 0 gives Tc = T/3.
Question 16 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines A vibrating system with damping ratio ζ = 1 is called
Choose your answer for question 16 A. undamped B. critically damped C. overdamped D. underdampedAnswer and explanation Correct answer: B
At ζ = 1 the system returns to equilibrium in the shortest time without oscillating.
Question 17 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines The maximum primary unbalanced force of a reciprocating engine mechanism, with reciprocating mass m, crank radius r and angular speed ω, is
Choose your answer for question 17 A. m r ω B. m r ω² / 2 C. m r² ω D. m r ω²Answer and explanation Correct answer: D
The primary force is m r ω² cos θ, whose peak occurs at θ = 0° and 180°.
Question 18 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines A rotor of moment of inertia 0.5 kg·m² spins at 100 rad/s and is precessed at 2 rad/s. The gyroscopic couple is
Choose your answer for question 18 A. 100 N·m B. 200 N·m C. 50 N·m D. 10 N·mAnswer and explanation Correct answer: A
C = I ω ωp = 0.5 × 100 × 2 = 100 N·m.
Question 19 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines For a cam follower moving with uniform velocity, the acceleration at the beginning and the end of the stroke is theoretically
Choose your answer for question 19 A. negative B. constant C. zero D. infiniteAnswer and explanation Correct answer: D
The sudden jump in velocity requires an infinite acceleration, which causes impact. Modified profiles round off the ends.
Question 20 · Mechanical Engineering (SSC JE) · Theory of Machines The number of instantaneous centres in a mechanism with 6 links is
Choose your answer for question 20 A. 12 B. 10 C. 15 D. 30Answer and explanation Correct answer: C
N = n(n − 1)/2 = 6 × 5 / 2 = 15.