The Big Brain Theory : The Next Great Innovator

What was the main challenge for the teams in "The Big Brain Theory"?

• Designing a system to protect a package from more than 25 G's during a collision

• Building a bridge across a river

• Creating a new software application

• Developing a marketing strategy

Answer explanation

The main challenge for the teams in 'The Big Brain Theory' was to design a system that could protect a package from more than 25 G's during a collision, which required innovative engineering and problem-solving skills.

Which team used a rail system with clamping mechanical brakes to dissipate energy?

• Blue Team

• Red Team

• Green Team

• Yellow Team

Answer explanation

The Red Team utilized a rail system with clamping mechanical brakes, which are designed to effectively dissipate energy during operation, making them the correct choice for this question.

What was a significant aspect of the challenge related to the design?

• Marketing analysis

• Mathematical analysis

• Historical analysis

• Psychological analysis

Answer explanation

Mathematical analysis was significant in the design challenge as it involves quantitative evaluation, ensuring that the design meets specific criteria and functions effectively, which is crucial for successful outcomes.

How many days were the teams given to design and build their systems?

• One day

• Two days

• Three days

• Four days

Answer explanation

The teams were given three days to design and build their systems, which is the correct answer. This timeframe may have been a limiting factor in the final outcomes.

What was the primary reason for the Blue Team's failure during the final test?

• They had too many functioning brakes.

• They used an elevated rail system.

• They had only one functioning brake.

• They finished their assembly early.

Answer explanation

The Blue Team's failure was primarily due to having only one functioning brake, which compromised their safety and control during the final test, leading to their inability to perform effectively.

What was a key lesson learned from the engineering challenge?

• The importance of using gas springs.

• The need for more complex designs.

• The significance of leadership and teamwork.

• The advantage of working individually.

Answer explanation

The engineering challenge highlighted the significance of leadership and teamwork, demonstrating that collaboration and effective communication are crucial for overcoming complex problems and achieving successful outcomes.

How did the Red Team's design approach differ from the Blue Team's?

• The Red Team used gas springs for shock absorption.

• The Red Team focused on dynamic energy absorption.

• The Red Team used an elevated rail system with clamping brakes.

• The Red Team relied on a rail-and-gas spring system.

What was a consequence of the Red Team's design choice during the final test?

• The package stopped abruptly due to tight brakes.

• The package exploded due to loose brakes.

• The package was too light to test.

• The package was not assembled in time.

Answer explanation

The Red Team's design choice led to the package stopping abruptly due to tight brakes, indicating that the braking system was overly sensitive or improperly calibrated, which affected the test outcome.

What engineering principles were applied in the design of the Blue Team's gas-spring system?

• Principles of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics

• Principles of mechanics and materials science

• Principles of chemistry and biology

• Principles of electronics and magnetism

Answer explanation

The design of the Blue Team's gas-spring system primarily involves principles of mechanics and materials science, focusing on the behavior of forces and the properties of materials used in the system.

What challenges did the Blue Team encounter with their mathematical analysis during the project?

• The numbers supported their design assumptions

• The analysis was completed ahead of schedule

• The numbers did not support their design assumptions

• The analysis was unnecessary for the project

Answer explanation

The Blue Team faced challenges because the numbers did not support their design assumptions, indicating a misalignment between their expectations and the actual data.