Mechanical Engineering and the Steam Engine

According to the passage, what field of engineering focuses on the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of machines and mechanical systems?

Name two inventions mentioned in the passage that were created by mechanical engineers.

The invention of the wheel presented a problem for engineers as the world opened up and distances became more important because:

• roads and surfaces had to be improved to accommodate wheeled vehicles

• wheels were too expensive to produce

• people preferred to walk long distances

• the wheel was not durable enough for long journeys

Who developed the first successful steam engine with a piston in 1712?

What improvement did James Watt make to the steam engine that made it more efficient?

What is the name of the first public passenger train, and how many people could it carry at what speed?

James Watt's invention was important for the Industrial Revolution because it:

• improved the efficiency of steam engines, enabling greater industrial growth

• introduced electricity to factories for the first time

• allowed for the mass production of textiles without human labor

• created the first automobile used in factories

According to the passage, what was the name of the first powered aircraft to take flight, and who designed it?

How far did Orville fly the Wright Flyer on its maiden voyage, and in how many seconds?

Who obtained the first patent for a turbo-jet engine in 1930?