MTEL Physics Practice Exam

Category - Physics

Several students in a physics class are planning to design a wind power system that can generate enough electricity to perform hydrolysis of water in a 500 mL beaker. According to the engineering design process, which of the following should the students do first?
  1. Make an expanded sketch of the major parts of the system.
  2. Build a small, working prototype of the system.
  3. Define the problem that needs to be solved.
  4. Brainstorm several alternative designs for the system.
Explanation
Correct Response: C. Defining the problem that needs to be solved must be the first step. All of the other steps listed must then be accomplished in the following order: "brainstorm several alternative designs for the system" (D), followed by "make an expanded sketch of the major parts of the system" (A), followed by "build a small, working prototype of the system" (B). Attempting to accomplish any of the other steps without first defining the problem would very likely result in time wasted developing a solution that does not completely address the problem, if it addresses it at all.
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