Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma,

Foundation Diploma, Diploma, Extended Diploma

September 2022 – Version 1
Recommended Time 2 hours Paper
reference 40950M
Engineering
UNIT 1: Mechanical Principles
Pearson Set Assignment Brief
Single Part Assessment

You must have:

The Information Booklet of Formulae and Constants, standard drawing
equipment and a non-programmable calculator.

For use with:

Pearson BTEC International Level 3 qualifications in Engineering

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©2022 Pearson Education Ltd.
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 Instructions to Teachers and Tutors
The Pearson Set Assignment will be assessed internally by the centre using the unit
Assessment Criteria detailed in the qualification specification. The assignment will be
sampled by the Standards Verifier as part of the standards verification annual centre visit.
Conditions of supervision
The Pearson Set Assignment should be undertaken in conditions that assure the
authenticity of outcome. This may require supervision.
We advise that the Pearson Set Assignment be completed in sessions that come to a total
of two hours. The Pearson Set Assignment should not be shared with learners prior to the
start of the assessment period. Teachers/tutors are responsible for security of the Pearson
Set Assignment and materials.
Outcomes for submission
One task booklet will need to be submitted by each learner. Drawings and graphs must
be completed in pencil.
Learners must submit their own, independent work as detailed in the Pearson Set
Assignment. Each learner must complete an authentication sheet.

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 Instructions to Learners
Read the Set Assignment carefully.
You will be asked to carry out specific written activities and calculations, under
supervised conditions, using the information provided.
You will need to have access to:
• a non-programmable calculator that does not have the facility for
symbolic algebraic manipulation or allow the storage and retrieval of
mathematical formulae
• the Information Booklet of Formulae and Constants for Unit 1
• standard drawing equipment (a pencil, a ruler, a rubber, a pair of compasses and
a protractor).
At all times you must work independently and must not share your work with other
learners. You must complete an authentication sheet and submit this along with
your work.
You should show all of your working when completing calculations.
Where required, all answers must be rounded to two decimal places unless
otherwise stated.
You must state units of measure where possible.
Outcomes for submission
You will need to submit one task booklet on completion of the supervised assessment
period. Drawings and graphs must be completed in pencil.
You must submit your own, independent work as detailed in the Set Assignment. You
must complete an authentication sheet and submit this along with your task booklet.
Set Assignment Information
Mechanical engineers need to carry out calculations to check that components and
mechanisms perform as required and meet specifications. These calculations apply
static, dynamic and fluid principles and rely on the correct application of algebraic and
trigonometric rules and processes to determine answers.

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 Set Assignment
You must complete ALL activities.
We advise that you spend two hours completing this Set Assignment.
ACTIVITY 1
1. An engineer has recorded the results of an investigation where the position of a
marker on a rotating wheel is represented by the formula:
y = 2sinx (where x is measured in degrees)
(a) Complete the table by converting from radian measure to degrees.

x (in radians) 0 π/6 π/3 π/2 2π/3 5π/6 π

x (in degrees)

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(b) Plot the results of the investigation on the axes shown. You should include labels and
axis values on your graph.

(c) State the values of x (in degrees) when y = 0.5.

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2. The diagram shows a component that has been manufactured from a triangular piece
of 2mm thick copper plate.

Curved edge

260
100
0.39 rad

r
Diagram not to scale and all dimensions in mm

(a) Calculate the length of side r.

(b) Calculate the volume of the triangular piece of copper plate.

(c) Calculate the length of the curved edge of the component.

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3. The diagram shows a pin that has been machined from metal.
Top surface

R40

R20
30

90

Diagram not to scale and all dimensions in millimetres

(a) Calculate the area of the top surface of the pin.

The pin has been machined from a 120mm long, 40mm diameter circular bar.
(b) Calculate the volume of material removed during the machining process.

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(c) The pin will be coated to protect it from corrosion.
Calculate the surface area of the pin that will be covered with the protective coating.

(d) The diagram shows the top surface of the pin with a hexagonal slot machined into it.

20 40

35

Calculate the area of the hexagonal slot.

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4. The diagram shows a radio transmitter that has been installed on the top of a
building. The transmitter is supported by cables to keep it vertical.
E

24°
θ
30°

0.9 B C D

3 1 6

Diagram not to scale and all dimensions in metres.

(a) Calculate the length of cable AD.

(b) Calculate the overall height of the transmitter BE.

(c) Calculate the length BC.

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(d) Calculate the angle θ.

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ACTIVITY 2
5. The diagram shows a beam suspended using two vertical cables.
Assume the beam has no mass and is in static equilibrium.

A 15N B
UDL = 3N/m

0.5 0.7 1.2 0.5

Diagram not to scale and all dimensions in metres

(a) Calculate the equivalent concentrated load produced by the uniformly distributed
load (UDL).

(b) Calculate the tension force in cable B.

Cable B has a cross sectional area of 0.004m2.

(c) Calculate the direct stress in cable B.
State your answer to 2 decimal places (2dp).

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The original length of the cable is 0.75m. Under the loading of the beam it extends to a
length of 0.765m.
(d) Calculate the direct strain in the cable.
State your answer to 2 decimal places (2dp).

(e) Calculate the modulus of elasticity of the material used for cable B.
State your answer to 1 decimal place (1dp).

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6. The diagram shows part of a mechanical system.
R40
R30
R10

Driven wheel

Pulley wheel
Driver wheel

Rope

Diagram not to scale and all dimensions in mm.

(a) Calculate the velocity ratio of the system.

The driver wheel rotates with an angular velocity(ω) of 25π radians per second.
(b) Calculate the angular velocity of the driven wheel.

A mass of 200g is attached to the rope.

(c) Calculate the work done to raise the mass a distance of 1500mm.

(d) Calculate the time taken to raise the mass through a distance of 1500mm.

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(e) Explain how increasing the diameter of the driver wheel would affect the time taken
for the mass to be raised.

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7. The diagram shows a gradually tapering pipe. The pipe runs full with an
incompressible fluid that has a density (ρ) of 1020 kg/m3.
The inlet flow velocity of the fluid is 4 m/s.
End elevation
(cross section) Outlet area
inlet = 0.1 m2

Side elevation

Direction of
flow

End elevation Inlet area

(cross section) = 0.4 m2
inlet

Diagram not to scale

(a) Calculate the mass flow rate of the unknown fluid at the inlet.

(b) Calculate the outlet velocity of the unknown fluid.

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The liquid continues to travel vertically upwards once it has passed through the outlet.
(c) Calculate the height that the liquid will reach.
Assume there is no wind resistance.

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8. The diagram shows an open topped tank used for storing coolant. The tank has a
400mm wide hinged door.

630 Coolant Hinged door

Hinge
Diagram not to scale and all dimensions in mm.
The coolant has a relative density of 0.9.
(a) Calculate the density of the coolant.

(b) Calculate the overturning moment of the door around the hinge.
State your answer to 3 significant figures (3SF).

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The hinged door is secured using a bolt that is held in place by a catch. The bolt has been
designed specifically for this size of tank and hinged door.

Tank Catch
wall

Bolt

Hinged
door

(c) Explain how the design of the bolt would need to change if the size of the hinged
door was increased.

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 Mapping of activities as routine or non-routine
*** Do not circulate to learners ***
ACTIVITY 1 (A.P1, A.P2, A.M1, A.D1)

Rationale for non- routine Content

Question Type
question types area

1 (a) Routine A2.1

(b) Routine A2.2

(c) Routine A2.2

2 (a) Routine A1.1

(b) Routine A1.1

(c) Routine A2.1

3 (a) Routine A1.1

(b) Non-routine Multi-step A1.3

(c) Non-routine A1.3

(d) Non-routine A1.3

4 (a) Routine A2.1

(b) Routine A2.1

Interpret the angles and

dimensions from the diagram
(c) Non-routine A2.2
before completing the
trigonometry calculation
Interpret the angles and
dimensions from the diagram
(d) Non-routine A2.2
before completing the multi-step
trigonometry calculation

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ACTIVITY 2 (B.P3, B.P4, B.M2, C.P5, C.P6, C.M3, D.P7, D.P8, D.M4, BCD.D2

Rationale for non-routine Content

Question Type
question types area

5 (a) Routine B1.1

(b) Non-Routine See content B1.2

(c) Routine B2.1

(d) Routine B2.1

(e) Non-routine See content B2.2

6 (a) Routine C4.1

(b) Routine C3.1

(c) Routine C2.1

(d) Non-routine Multi-step C3.1

Two-part explain question

(e) Non-routine C3.1
requires a linked response

7 (a) Non-routine See content D1.2

(b) Routine D1.1

See content and a multi-

(c) Non-routine step calculation involving C2.2
conservation of energy

8 (a) Routine D2.1

Multi-step calculation requiring

interpretation of the diagram
(b) Non-Routine D1.2
and application of overturning
moments
Two-part explain question
(c) Non-routine B2.2
requires a linked response

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Assessment criteria

Pass Merit Distinction

Learning aim A: Examine how algebraic and

trigonometric mathematical methods can be used to
solve engineering problems
A.D1 Solve routine and
A.P1 Solve given routine non-routine problems
problems using algebraic A.M1 Solve routine accurately, using algebraic
methods. problems accurately and and trigonometric
non-routine problems methods.
A.P2 Solve given using both algebraic and
routine problems using trigonometric methods.
trigonometric methods.
Learning aim B: Examine how static engineering
systems can be used to solve engineering problems
B.P3 Solve routine
problems that involve static B.M2 Solve routine
systems. problems accurately and
non-routine problems that
B.P4 Solve routine involve both static systems
problems that involve and loaded components.
loaded components.
Learning aim C: Examine how dynamic engineering
systems can be used to solve engineering problems
C.P5 Solve routine BCD.D2 Solve routine
problems that involve and non-routine
kinetic and dynamic C.M3 Solve routine problems accurately using
parameters. problems accurately and mechanical engineering
non-routine problems that methods.
C.P6 Solve routine involve dynamic systems.
problems that involve
angular parameters.
Learning aim D: Examine how fluid engineering
systems can be used to solve engineering problems
D.P7 Solve routine
problems that involve fluid D.M4 Solve routine
systems. problems accurately and
D.P8 Solve routine non-routine problems that
problems that involve involve fluid systems.
immersed bodies.

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