Question

For any two of the following engineering systems, identify whether they are physical or abstract (or both) and provide supporting arguments: a hydroelectric dam, a transportation logistics schedule, an automobile, a disaster evacuation plan, and a cell phone communications mast. Also, for each system, name two inputs and two outputs and identify any two sources of uncertainty that could cause variability in the system outputs.

Answer 1

1. Hydroelectric Dam:- Hydroelectric dam is a physical engineering system as it is an tangible item or project. It is not a simple data it is a tangible project. Hydroelectric dam is used mainly for power generation by use of potential energy of water standing upstream of dam.

Inputs :-1. Infrastructure of Dam and cost for its setup nad operation.

2. Manpower

Outputs:- 1. Power Generation 2. Revenue Generation by sale of power.

Two sources of uncertainity:-1. In cold season the water freezes in mountains which decrease output. 2.Losses due to seepage from dam can cause decrease in out put.

2. Automobile:- It is also an tangible thing hence a Physical system.

Inputs:- 1. Gasholine or Fuel 2. Driver's efforts

Output:- 1. Motion of vehicle 2. Gases causing pollution.

Two sources of uncertainity which causes change in output:-

1. Bad condition of the engine.

2. Bad condition of gearbox.