Friday, December 14, 2012

Useful Engineering Verbs for resumes, engineering manuals, presentations and documentation


Although this list is not exhaustive, these engineering verbs are helpful and handy when preparing job application resumes, engineering manuals, work or training instructions, writing textbooks and other documentation materials, and specially during presentations, safety briefs, meetings, and seminars where you audience might have little or no background in engineering. I have listed these verbs alphabetically and it is my recommendation to choose the appropriate verbs depending on you audience. For example, when doing and engineering presentation to a general audience, it is recommended to use verbs such as produces, delivers, draws, enters, receives, transmits, etc. which are easily understood by listeners which have varies background knowledge. If you have select audience with engineering backgrounds, then use the appropriate engineering technical terminologies.

A
abide
abolish
abort
accelerate
access
acclimatize
achieve
acknowledge
acquire
act
action
actuate
add
adjust
adopt
advance
advocate
affect
aggravate
agitate
aid
alarm
align
allocate
ally
alter
amalgamate
amass
amplify
analyze
angle
anneal
anodize
antifoul
apply
appropriate
approximate
arc
arrange
ascertain
asphyxiate
assemble
assist
assume
atomise
attack
attenuate
attract
authorize
automate
average
avoid

B
backlash
backup
balance
ballast
bar
beam
bear
become
become
begin
bend
benefit
blast
block
blow
board
boil
bond
boost
border
bore
braze
break
brew
brief
brine
brinell
brood
build
burn
burr
bypass

C
calculate
calibrate
cancel
cap
carburize
carry
carry out
cast
categorize
cause
center
centralize
centrifuge
chain
change
char
characterize
charge
check
choke
choose
circle
circulate
circumscribe
class
classify
close
coal
coalesce
coat
coincide
collaborate
collapse
collect
collide
colonize
combat
combine
commence
compare
compass
compensate
compile
complete
comply
compost
compound
compute
concentrate
conclude
concuct
conduct
confer
configure
conserve
consist
consolidate
constitute
constrain
constrict
construct
consume
contact
contaminate
contract
convert
cook
cool
cooperate
coordinate
copy
correct
corrode
cost
counter
counteract
counterpunch
couple
cover
crack
crest
critique
crystalize
cube
culture
curve
cushion
cut
cycle

D
damage
date
debrief
decay
decelerate
decentralize
decode
decrease
deduce
defer
defuel
de-gas
degauss
degrade
degrease
dehumidify
de-install
de-ionize
delegate
delete
delineate
demobilize
demodulate
demulsify
deny
depend
deplete
deploy
depopulate
depress
depressurize
derive
desalinate
describe
de-sensitize
design
dessicate
destroy
destruct
detail
deter
deteriorate
determine
develop
deviate
dewater
diagnose
die cast
differentiate
diffuse
dilute
diminish
dip
disable
discharge
disconnect
disembark
disjoin
dismantle
displace
display
dispose
disrupt
dissipate
dissolve
distill
distort
distribute
disturb
dive
divide
download
drag
drain
draw
drill
drop
drop forge
dry
dry run
duplicate

E
eat
economize
educate
effect
elaborate
element
eliminate
embark
embed
emerge
emphasize
employ
empty
emulsify
enable
encircle
encode
end
enforce
engine
engineer
engulf
enhance
enrich
ensure
entail
enter
entrain
enumerate
equalize
escalate
escape
establish
estimate
evacuate
evaluate
exacerbate
excavate
exceed
exchange
exclude
execute
exempt
exhaust
exit
expatriate
expel
experiment
expire
explain
explode
export
expose
extend
exterminate
extinguish
extract
extrapolate
extrude

F
factor
fail
feel
figure
fill
fillet
find
fine tune
fire
fit
flake
flange
flank
flash
float
flow
flush
focus
follow
forge
form 
form cut
formalize
formulate
foul
freeze
fuel
funnel

G
gage
gain
gas
gather
gear
generalize
generate
germinate
give
give off
go
govern
grade
graduate
graph
grease
grind
ground
group
grow
guide

H
hammer
harden
harvest
hear
heat
heave
heel
help
hob
hog
hoist
hold
hold down
hone
hub
humidify

I
identify
ignite
illuminate
imagine
impart
impede
implement
implode
imply
import
impose
impregnate
improve
in-charge
incinerate
incline
include
increase
incubate
indent
induce
infer
influence
inform
ingress
inhibit
initialize
initiate
inject
input
inscribe
inspect
inspire
install
insulate
integrate
intensify
interact
interchange
interface
interpolate
interrogate
intersect
intersperse
invalidate
invent
invert
investigate
involve
ionize
isolate

J
journey
justify

K
know

L
leave
level
liaise
life test
lift
light
limit
line
liquefy
list
listen
load
locate
lock
lock
log
loll
look
loosen
lose
lower
lubricate

M
machine
magnetize
make
manage
manufacture
margin
marginalize
mass
match
materialize
maximize
measure
meet
meld
melt
memorize
merge
mesh
mesh out
meter
minimize
mist
mist spray
mitigate
mix
mobilize
mock run
model
modify
modularize
modulate
module
moisturize
mold
moment
monitor
move
multiply
multitask

N
name
narrow
narrow down
necessitate
negate
network
neutralize
nitride
node
note
notice
nourish
nullify

O
obscure
occur
offer
oil
open
oppose
order
output
overcurrent
overheat
overload
overvoltage

P
paint
pair
parameter
pass
paste
penetrate
perceive
percolate
perforate
period
permeate
phase
phase in
phase out
pick up
picture
piece
pit
pitch
place
plan
plane
plot
point
poll
pollute
populate
position
pour
power
pre-amplify
preclude
precoat
predict
prefer
pre-filter
prepare
present
preserve
press
pressure
pressurize
prewet
prioritize
probe
proceed
procure
produce
program
progress
prohibit
project
promote
promulgate
propel
protect
prove
provide
pull
pull out
pump
pump out
punch
purge
purify
purpose
push

Q
qualify
quantify
quantisize
quench

R
radiate
raise
range
rate
reach
react
ready
realize
rebuild
recall
recharge
reciprocate
recode
recognize
recoil
recommend
reconfigure
reconnect
record
recover
rectify
recycle
redesign
reengineer
reenter
refer
refill
refit
refract
refresh
refrigerate
refuel
refurbish
regain
regulate
rehearse
reinforce
relate
relegate
relieve
remain
remind
remove
renew
repair
repeat
repel
replace
repopulate
report
reprocess
reproduce
request
require
rescue
research
reserve
reset
resist
resize
respond
response
restore
restrain
restrict
result
retail
retain
retard
return
reverse engineer
revert
review
revise
revolve
rework
rig
rim
rinse
rivet
roll
rotate
round  
round off
rule
rust

S
sag
sample
saturate
save
saw
scale
scour
screen
screw
scrub
scuff
search
sector
secure
select
sense
sensitize
separate
service
settle
setup
shake
shape
sharpen
shine
ship
shove
shut down
sight
sign
simulate
situate
sketch
slope
slow
smell
smoothen
snug
soak
soap
soften
solder
solidify
solve
source
spark
speak
specialize
specify
speed
spell
spill
spray
square
stabilize
stagnate
standardize
start up
state
store
straighten
stream
strengthen
stress
stretch
strike
strip
strive
stroke
study
sub-contract
subject
sublimate
submerge
subtend
subtract
succeed
sum
supersede
supervise
supply
support
suppose
surface
surge
suspect
suspend
swell
switch
switch off

T
table
tabulate
tag
tag out
take
tangent
taper
task
taste
temper
tender
term
terminate
test
thaw
thrive
throw
thrust
tick
tighten
time
tip
tolerate
tone
tow
trace
train
transfer
transform
transition
transpire
trap
travel
treat
treble
triangulate
trigger
trim
trip
tube
tune
turn
turn off
twist

U
universalize
unload
update
upgrade
upload
use
utilize

V
vacate
vacuum
validate
vaporize
verify
vibrate
view
violate
visualize

W
warm
wash
watch
water
wax
weaken
wear
weld
wet
winch
wipe
work
wrench

X
x-axis
x-ray
x-section

Y
yard
yaw
y-axis

Z
z-axis
zero
zero in

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

MATHEMATICS and ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING: Joint and Combined Variation - Wire resistance, length, area


WIRE RESISTANCE is directly proportional to LENGTH and inversely proportional to AREA


R = k L/A


where:

R = wire resistance

k = constant

L = length of wire

A = cross-sectional area of wire



1. If 700 meters of a 4 mm-diameter wire has a resistance of 28 ohms, find the length of a 7 mm-dia wire of same resistance.


given:

L1 = 700 m

d1 = 4 mm

R1 = 28 ohms

d2 = 7 mm

R2 = 28 ohms = R1


find:

L2 = length of wire with 7 mm diameter having same resistance of 28 ohms


solution:


R = k L/A

k = R * A/L

R1 * A1/L1 = R2 * A2/L2

28 * (4^2 * pi/4)/700 = 28 * (7^2 * pi/4)/L2

16/700 = 49/L2

L2 = 700 * 49/16

L2 = 2144 m




2. By what factor will the wire resistance change if both the wire length and diameter are increased by 200% (doubled)?


given:

L1 = L

d1 = d

L2 = 2L

d2 = 2d


find:

change factor of wire resistance when wire length and wire diameter are both doubled


solution:


R = k L/A

k = R * A/L

R1 * A1/L1 = R2 * A2/L2

R1 * (d^2 * pi/4)/L = R2 * [(2d)^2 * pi/4]/2L

R1 * d^2 = R2 * (4 * d^2)/2

R1 = R2 * 2

R2 = (R1)/2

R2 = 0.5 R1  ---> the final wire resistance (R2) is REDUCED to HALF of the initial wire resistance (R1)

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

CHEMISTRY, CHEMICAL, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FUELS & COMBUSTION: Latin, Greek ROOTS, PREFIXES, SUFFIXES



A

a-, an- = not, without [anhydrous, amorphous, atrophy]

acid = sour, sharp [hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid]

alkali = soda ash, [alkali, alkaline]

allo, -io = other, different [allotrope, alloy]

alpha = 1st letter of Greek alphabet [alpha particle, alpha rays]

amin = ammonia amine [amino acid, ammonia, amine]

amph, -i, -o = double, on both sides [amphoteric, amphibian]

-ane = single covalent bond [alkane, hexane, butane, propane]


anti = against, opposite [antiseptic, antibiotic]

-ate = used to indicate a salt of an acid ending in -ic [sulfate, nitrate]

aqua = water [aqueous, aquatic, aquamarine]



B

baro = pressure [barometer, barometric]

beta = second letter of Greek alphabet [beta particle, beta rays]

bi = two [binary, bipolar]

bio = life [biology, biochemistry, biometrics]



C

carb, -o, -on = coal, carbon [carbohydrate, carbonic, carbon dioxide]

chem = chemistry, chemical [chemical, chemotherapy]

co, -l, m, -n = with, together [covalent, coefficient, colligative, concuction]

com = with, together [composition, combination]

conjug = joined together [conjugate acid, conjugal acid]

cosm,-o = the world or universe [cosmic rays, cosmology]

cry, -mo, -o = cold crystal [cryogenics]



D

de = down, without, from [decomposition, denatured, dehydrated]

dens = thick, dense [dense, density]

di = separate, double, across [diatomic, divalent, disaccharide]

dis = separate, apart [dissociation, dissolved]

duc, -t = lead [ductile, induction]



E

e = out, without, from [evaporation, eradication]

ef = out, from, away [effervescence, effluent]

electr, -i, -o = electrode, electric [electrolyte, electrochemical, electrical, electromechanical]

elem = basic [elements, elementary]

empir, -o = experienced [empirical formula]

en = in, into [endothermic, endocrine]

-ene = double covalent [alkene, acetylene, toluene, propylene]

equ = equal [equilibrium, equivalent]

erg = work, energy [erg, energy, ergonomic]

exo = out, outside, without [exothermic, exocrine, exothermal]



F

ferr, -o = iron [ferromagnetism, ferric, ferrous]

fiss, -i, -ur = cleft, split [fission, fissure]

flu = flow [fluids, confluent]

fract = break, broken [fraction, refraction, fracture]



G

gamma = 3rd letter of Greek alphabet [gamma rays, gamma]

gen = bear, produce, beginning [gene, genetic]

glyc, -er, -o = sweet [glycogen, glycolysis, glycose, glycolipid, glycol, glycerine]

graph, -o, -y = write, writing [graphite, graphical, graphics]



H

halo- = salt [halogens]

hetero- = other, different [heterogeneous]

hom, eo, -o = same, alike [homogeneous]

hybrid = combination [hybrid orbital]

hydr, -a, -i, -o = water [hydrolysis, hydroelectric]

hyper = over, above, excessive [(hy)perchloric acid, hyperactive, hypertension]

hypo = under, beneath [hypochlorous acid, hypothetical, hypothermic]



I

-ic = show the higher of two valences, having some characteristics of [ferric, metallic]

-ide = group of related chemical compounds [monosaccharide]; binary compound [sodium chloride, hydrogen cyanide]; chemical element with properties similar to another [lanthanide series]

im = not [immiscible, impenetrable]

in = in, into [intrinsic, internal]

-ine = of or pertaining to, of the nature of, made of, like [crystalline, marine]; halogen [bromine]; basic compound [amine]; alkaloid [quinine]; amino acid [glycine]; mixture of compounds [gasoline]; commercial material [glassine]

-ion = process [fusion, fission, evaporation]

iso = equal [isomers, isometric, isochoric]

-ite = salt or ester of an acid named with an adjective ending in -ous [sulfite]; rock, mineral [graphite]; fossil [trilobite]; product [metabolite]; commercial product [ebonite]



K

kilo = thousand [kilogram, kilojoule]

kine = move, moving, movement [kinetic energy]



L

lip, -o = fat [lipoprotein, lipid]

liqu, -e, -i = fluid, liquid [liquefy, liquor]

lys, -io, -is, -io = loose, loosening, breaking [hydrolysis]



M

macr, -o = large, long [macromolecule, macroscopic]

malle, -o, -us = hammer [malleable, malleability]

mer, -e, -i, -o = part [dimer, polymer, isomer]

met, -a = between [metabolism, metamorphosis]

-meter = measure [calorimeter, thermometer]

mill -e, -i, -o = one thousand [milliliter, milligram, millimeter]

misc = mix [miscible, miscellaneous]

mon -a, -er, -o = single, one [monomer, monovalent, monoxide]

morph, -a, -o = form [amorphous, metamorphic, polymorphic]




N

neo = new [neoprene]

neutr = neither [neutral, neutron]

nom, -en, -in = name [nominal, nomenclature]

non = not, ninth [nonpolar, non-reactive]

nuc, -ell, -i = nut, center [nucleus, nuclear]



O

oct, -i, -o = eight [octet, octane]

-oid = like, form [metalloid, colloid]

orbi, -t = circle [orbital, orbit]

-ous = possessing, full of, lower of two possible valences [aqueous, porous, ferrous, ferrous sulfide]

oxid = oxygen [oxide, oxidation]



P

photo = light [photochemical, photosynthesis]

polar, -i = of the pole [polarity, polar]

poly = many [polymer]

pro = forward, positive, for, in front of [proton, projectile, projection]



Q

quant = how much [quantum, quanta, quantity]



R

radi, -a, -o = spoke, ray [radius, radioactive, radial, radiation]



S

sacchar, -o = sugar [monosaccharide, saccharine]

sal, -i = salt [salinity, saline]

solu- = dissolve [solubility, soluble, solution]

spect = see, look [spectator, speculate, spectacle]

super = above, over [superheated, supersonic]

syn = together, with [photosynthesis, synthetic]



T

therm, -o = heat [thermodynamics, thermochemistry, thermal conductivity]

thesis = arranging, statement [hypothesis, antithesis]

tran, -s = across, through [transition, transfer, transfusion]



U

un = not [unsaturated, unstable]



V

vapor, -i = steam, vapor [vaporization, vaporizer, vapor pressure]

vulcan = fire [vulcanized, vulcanization]



Y

-yl = wood, matter; organic acid radical [carbonyl]; chemical names of organic compounds when they are radicals [alkyl, ethyl, phenyl]

-yne = triple covalent bond [alkyne, ethyne]