ASVAB Comprehensive Study Guide Flashcards

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts from electronics, automotive, shop tools, mechanical comprehension, mathematics, and physics topics found in the ASVAB study guide.

What type of electricity flows in one constant direction and is produced by batteries?

Direct Current (DC)

What type of current changes direction many times per second and is used in home wiring?

Alternating Current (AC)

What is the ‘electrical pressure’ that drives current through a conductor?

Voltage

Which materials allow easy flow of electrons: silver, copper, or rubber?

Silver and copper (conductors)

Name a good electrical insulator used to resist electron flow.

Rubber (other acceptable answers: plastic, ceramic)

What do we call a loop that carries electricity from source to load and back?

Circuit

In a circuit, what term describes devices like lights or heaters that use power?

Load

What is measured in amperes (A)?

Current strength

What unit (Ω) measures resistance in a circuit?

Ohms

Which unit (W) measures electrical power?

Watts

Write Ohm’s Law in terms of current.

A = V / Ω

What is the power formula relating watts, volts, and amps?

W = V × A

In a series circuit, how does current behave at different points?

Current is the same at all points

In a parallel circuit, how is voltage across each branch?

Voltage is the same across all branches

What device uses a wire coil around an iron core to create a magnetic field?

Electromagnet

Which transformer increases output voltage by having more turns on the secondary coil?

Step-up transformer

What electrical device converts electrical energy to kinetic energy?

Motor

What device converts kinetic energy into electrical energy?

Generator

Silicon that can act as conductor or insulator is called what?

Semiconductor

What small semiconductor device can switch, regulate, or amplify current?

Transistor

Which component allows current to flow in only one direction?

Diode

What household box divides load into circuits and prevents excess current?

Circuit breaker box

Name the four strokes of the Otto cycle in order.

Intake, Compression, Power, Exhaust

Are car engines internal or external combustion engines?

Internal combustion

What car part ignites the fuel–air mixture with a high-voltage spark?

Spark plug

What does oil viscosity measure?

Thickness of the oil

Blue exhaust smoke usually indicates what engine issue?

Burning oil due to worn rings or cylinders

If the oil-pressure warning light comes on while driving, what should you do?

Pull over and check oil level; add oil or seek towing to avoid engine damage

What pump circulates coolant through the engine?

Water pump

What component lets outside and inside drive wheels rotate at different speeds when turning?

Differential

What clutch position disconnects engine from transmission?

Pedal down (disengaged)

Which transmission changes gears automatically?

Automatic transmission

Breaker points close to send 12 V through which ignition part?

Primary winding of the ignition coil

What automotive device keeps the battery charged while the engine runs?

Alternator

Fuel injectors are controlled by which onboard computer?

Engine Control Unit (ECU)

What fuel-mixing device has largely been replaced by fuel injection?

Carburetor

What brake type uses shoes pressing outward against a rotating drum?

Drum brake

Which brake type clamps stationary pads on a rotating disk?

Disc brake

What safety system pulses brakes to prevent wheel lock-up?

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Rack-and-pinion is part of which vehicle system?

Steering gear

Leaf and coil are two main categories of what vehicle system?

Suspension springs

What handheld tool measures inside diameters?

Inside caliper

Which caliper can measure inside, outside, and depth dimensions precisely?

Vernier caliper

Name a very precise measuring tool similar to a caliper but with a screw spindle.

Micrometer

What saw has a 7-¼-inch circular blade for fast rip cuts?

Circular saw

Which hand plane type is general-purpose for smoothing boards?

Jack plane

What metal-cutting hand tool uses replaceable fine-tooth blades and cuts on forward stroke?

Hacksaw

Tin snips are used primarily to cut what material?

Sheet metal (steel, copper, aluminum)

What drilling accessory creates a cone-shaped recess for flat-head screws?

Countersink bit

Which hammer type has one flat face and one rounded peen for shaping metal?

Ball-peen hammer

What adjustable wrench is commonly called a “Crescent” wrench?

Adjustable wrench

Which wrench measures bolt tightness in specific units?

Torque wrench

Allen wrenches fit screws with what shaped recess?

Hexagonal

What pliers have a locking mechanism for a strong grip?

Locking pliers (Vise-Grips)

Thread-cutting tools: name the tool that cuts external threads on rods.

Die

What fastening method melts separate filler metal, not the workpieces, at low temperature?

Soldering (or brazing at higher temp)

Define work in mechanical terms.

Force applied over a distance

What is mechanical advantage (MA) formula using load and effort?

MA = Load / Effort

Which class of lever has fulcrum between load and effort?

First-class lever

Where is the load located in a second-class lever?

Between fulcrum and effort

How do you calculate MA of a pulley system quickly?

Count the number of supporting strands

Gear MA can be found by what tooth-count ratio?

MA = Teeth on driven gear / Teeth on driving gear

What simple machine is a ramp used to raise objects?

Inclined plane

MA of an inclined plane is horizontal length divided by what?

Vertical rise

What simple machine converts rotational motion between wheel and axle?

Wheel and axle

In fluid questions, when liquid speeds up, what happens to pressure?

Pressure drops

Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately how many lb/in²?

14.7 lb/in²

What gas law effect explains why compressed air warms up?

Compressing gas increases thermal energy

Prime numbers have exactly how many factors?

Two (1 and itself)

What is the least common denominator (LCD) of 3/4 and 1/6?

12

How do you convert a percent to a decimal?

Move the decimal point two places left

Evaluate 10% of 895 quickly.

89.5

What is the product rule for exponents (aᵇ × aᶜ)?

a^(b+c)

Write 7,325,000 in scientific notation.

7.325 × 10⁶

The square root of a perfect square of 81 is what?

9

Define mean of a data set.

Average (sum divided by count)

Define mode of a data set.

Value occurring most frequently

What mnemonic helps remember order of operations?

PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply/Divide, Add/Subtract)

In a proportion a/b = c/d, what equality of products must hold?

a × d = b × c (cross products)

Solve for x: 10x = 350.

x = 35

What happens to an inequality sign when you multiply or divide by a negative?

It reverses direction

Define coefficient in a monomial.

Numerical factor multiplied by variables

State the area formula of a triangle.

A = ½ × base × height

How do you find volume of a rectangular prism?

V = length × width × height

Sum of interior angles of an n-sided polygon equals?

180° × (n – 2)

What is simple interest formula?

I = principal × rate × time (I = prt)

What are the four basic strokes in a four-cycle engine?

Intake, Compression, Power, Exhaust

Which coolant mixture prevents freezing down to about –30 °F?

50-50 antifreeze and water

What engine part converts linear piston motion into rotary motion?

Crankshaft (with connecting rods)

Purpose of piston rings?

Seal gap between piston and cylinder, contain combustion gases

Why are bearings used in rotating parts?

Reduce friction

Proper tire pressure should be checked when tire is hot or cold?

Cold

Which nail type has small head for trim work?

Finishing nail

What does ‘galvanized’ mean regarding nails?

Coated with zinc to resist rust

Name the three most common automotive pollutants controlled by a catalytic converter.

Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (smog gases)

Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) routes crankcase gases where?

Back to intake manifold to be burned

What automotive motor engages flywheel to start the engine?

Starter motor

Main advantage of electronic ignition over mechanical distributor?

Precise spark timing and fewer wear parts

What chemical causes battery terminal corrosion?

Acidic sulfate deposits from lead-acid reaction

Purpose of a clutch?

Temporarily disconnect engine from transmission for shifting