L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Understand and apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

Student Book Answers

Understand how to apply scientific principles within MES.
Progress check 1 (page 166)
1 At what temperature is water at its maximum density? 4 C 2 What is the relative density of water and of air? 1.0 3 How many types of copper tube are commonly available for plumbing and heating work? Which types of tube are not suitable for underground use? Four types are commonly available: Tables W, X, Y and Z. Table X and Table Z are not suitable for underground use. 4 How many types of low carbon steel (LCS) are commonly available for plumbing and heating work? Three 5 Which colours apply to which weights, when referring to LCS tubes? Brown light grade Blue medium grade Red heavy grade 6 What are the two main categories of plastic used in the plumbing industry? Thermosetting plastics and thermoplastics 7 According to Mohs scale, which natural material has the greatest hardness? Diamond 8 What are the most common forms of corrosion found to affect plumbing materials and systems? The effects of air The effects of water The direct effects of acids, alkalis and chemicals (e.g. from environmental sources) Electrolytic corrosion
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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Understand and apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

Is copper higher or lower than iron in the electromotive series? Higher: it is a cathode.

10 When water is heated in its liquid state, by approximately how much does it expand? 4% 11 What is the pH value of pure water? 7 12 What effect does boiling have on the permanent hardness of water? Hardness cannot be removed by boiling.

Progress check 2 (page 171)

1 Why are alcohol and mercury used in thermometers? Because they expand and contract at a uniform (constant) rate in response to temperature changes. 2 With regard to a central heating system, what would a differential digital thermometer be used for? To measure the temperature of the flow and return pipework and the difference in temperature between each pipe. 3 What is the specific heat capacity of water? 4.186 kJ/kg/C 4 Calculate the increase in length of a 9-metre long plastic gutter, due to a temperature rise of 17 C. 27.54 mm. 5 What are the three modes of heat transfer? Conduction, convection and radiation.

Progress check 3 (page 178)

1 What units is force measured in? Newtons 2 Define the term pressure. A measurement of the concentration of force

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Understand and apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

In a plumbing system, where is the greatest head of pressure: higher at the lowest points or higher at the highest points? Higher at the lowest points (lower at the highest points)

Which actions, components and appliances utilise the principle of the siphon in plumbing systems? Siphonic WC pan WC flushing siphon Urinal range automatic flushing siphon Siphoning the contents of a hot water storage cylinder or cistern using a hosepipe

The rate of water flow through pipework is affected by what? Frictional loss

Why is it good practice to use manufactured bends in pipework rather than knuckle bends or elbows? Knuckle bends, or elbows, provide a greater resistance to the flow of water than manufactured bends.

Progress check 4 (page 196)

1 Which metals are said to be the best conductors of electricity (excluding gold)? Copper and aluminium 2 Which materials are typical insulators of electricity? Wood, plastic and rubber 3 For practical purposes, which three things need to be present to create an electrical circuit? Current, voltage and resistance 4 How is Ohms law expressed as an equation? V = I x R where V = voltage; I = current; R = resistance 5 What should never be done with an ohmmeter? It should never be connected to a live electrical circuit. 6 Where would an MCB be found in a domestic property? In all electrical consumer units within newer domestic properties

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Understand and apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

What are the two basic types of electrical circuit? Series and parallel

What is meant by the term hertz? The number of cycles of AC that are produced every second

Why must electrical installations be earthed? To prevent electric shocks

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Understand and apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

Check your knowledge

1 How much does water expand upon freezing? a b c d 2 5% 10% 15% 20%

With reference to fuel gases, which of the following statements is true? a b c d Propane is heavier than air Butane is lighter than air Natural gas is heaver than air Butane is lighter than propane

The Pascal is a unit of intensity of pressure. How can this be calculated? a b c d By multiplying newtons and square metres By multiplying kilograms and square metres By multiplying newtons and kilograms By multiplying newtons and litres

Which one of the following materials has the highest coefficient of linear expansion? a b c d Copper U-PVC Stainless steel Steel

Which one of the following is the unit for power? a b c d Joules Newtons Watts (or kilowatts) Amps

Which unit is used to measure electrical current? a b c d Ohm Watt Volt Amp

At what temperature does water freeze? a b c d 0 C 2 C 8 C 4 C

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Understand and apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

The process of siphonage utilises: a b c d capillary action specific gravity atmospheric pressure vacuum pumps

Which plumbing system by-product is directly linked to hard water? a b c d Limescale Hydrogen Carbon dioxide Ferrous oxide

10 The direct result of hard water in domestic properties is most likely to be what? a b c d Water hammer Dripping tanks Running overflow Reduced system efficiency

11 What is relative density? a b c d Density of a substance in comparison to the density of water Volume of displaced water Mass of a substance divided by its volume Force exerted by the mass of a substance

12 Which one of the following metals has the highest rate of heat conductivity? a b c d Steel Copper Lead Iron

13 The sockets on a ring usually have an amp rating of: a b c d 9 amps 6 amps 13 amps 15 amps

14 When would a plumber use temporary earth continuity bonds? a b c d Flushing out the hot water system Removing a section of pipework Changing a tap washer Working on a central heating control panel

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L2 Plumbing Unit 4 Understand and apply scientific principles within mechanical services engineering

15 What is the SI unit of measurement for electrical resistance? a b c d Ohm Volt Amp Watt

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