1 Engineering

Engineering is based principally on physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and their extensions into
materials science, solid and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, transfer and rate processes, and systems
analysis.

Engineering as a profession involves different tasks. It can refer specifically to the manufacture or assembly
of engines, machine tools and machine parts. It is also used more generally to describe the creative
application of scientific principIes to design, develop, construct and forecast the behaviour of structures,
apparatus, machines, manufacturing processes and works.

The function of scientists is to know, while that of engineers is to do: they must solve specific problems.

See also: Chemical (12), Civil (20,21), Electrical (16), Electronic (17,18), Mining (22), Petroleum
(23,24), Production (1, 2), Construction (15).

~S:' Different branches DI engÍneerÍngrequire different equÍpment and are based on different processes.

Branches of engineering
The following words/phrases are all followedby 'engineering'
Processes
in treating
~ metals

Equipment in engineering Notice the following nouns

D.D:D
1 Match the foIlowing verbs with the correct definition.
t anneal to melt metal and then pour it into a form, e.g. iron components
anodize to make thin sheets of metal by passing it between large rollers,
electroplate to shape metals by heating and then hammering, e.g. horse shoes
forge to make materials tough by cooling them slowly, e.g. glass
found to make something softer, e.g. fibres
galvanize to heat and then cool metals to obtain the required hardness and elasticity,
e.g. steel
grind to cover with a thin layer of metal using electrolysis, e.g. car components
roll to protect from rusting by coating in zinc, e.g. food cans
plate to give a metal a protective coat by using it as an anode in electrolysis,
1
e.g. car components 1
soften to polish or sharpen by rubbing on a rough surface, e.g. stone
temper to cover one metal with a thin layer of another, e.g. silver plate

1
---~ 2 Complete the foIlowing sentences with a form of the word in brackets.
 manutacturing, engineer is trained to understand, design, control, a
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investigate material flows. If you enjoy problem solving and find projects such as the
1 Channel Tunnel and the Three Gorges Dam interesting, engineering ma
1 be for you. You will produce creative designs at an economical price white paying due
concern to the environment. If your interest is in road building then you may decide to
follow a specialized course in (d) engineering. By studying <
(e) and (f) O
engineering you learn about the design o
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complete systems, such as computers, controllers, power and transport systems. D
(g) engineers plan, design and (h) ) things
a wide range ot
e
washing machines, cars and spacecraft. engineers work veryr closel
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with mechanical engineers, to make new products at the right price, on time and in the-
D)
correct quantity. As wetl as designing and selecting Ü) and materials,
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they also organize people and finance. '<
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