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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 engÍneerÍng require different equÍpment and are based on different processes.
Branches of engineering
The following words/phrases are all followedby 'engineering'
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Equipment in engineering
Processes in treating metals
e: Notice the following adjective endings:
Notice the following verb endings:
Notice the following nouns which are a plural form but are normally used with a singular verb
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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, e.g. steel <
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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 D)
er
found to make something softer, e.g. fibres e-
galvanize to heat and then cool metals to obtain the required hardness and elasticity, D)
..
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 o
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plate to give a metal a protective coat by using it as an anode in electrolysis, 'tI
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e.g. car components Z
soften to polish or sharpen by rubbing on a rough surface, e.g. stone
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temper to cover one metal with a thin layer of another, e.g. silver plate ;:g
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2 III
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---~ Complete the foIlowing sentences with a form of the word in brackets.
, 1 In the industry, develop processes for producing plastics,
fibres, medicines, etc. from simple chemicals. (chemistry)
2 Producing steel using the Bessemer process is one of the best-known
processes. (industry)
¡ 3 Most devices need oil as a lubricant. (mechanics)
4 FoIlowing the earthquake. every building had to be inspected to see whether it had suffered
I any damage. (structure)
R 5 Certain chemicals are added to glue to it. (hard)
6 Excavators and power shovels are two types of equipment used by
when they are removing ro eles from the ground. (mine)
3 Here is an extract from a speech made by a careers advisor to a group of students choosing their
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future courses of study at university. Complete the speech by choosing one of the words from
;
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the boxo
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.
Engineering students shoutd have an understanding of maths, (a) and
chemistry. Working with pharmaceuticals, food, mineral processing and chemical
manutacturing, engineer is trained to understand, design, control, and
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investigate material flows. If you enjoy problem solving and find projects such as the
I
11 Channel Tunnel and the Three Gorges Dam interesting, engineering may
11 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) engineering you learn about the design ot
complete systems, such as computers, controllers, power and transport systems.
( (g) engineers plan, design and (h) a wide range ot things:
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washing machines, cars and spacecraft. engineers work very closely
with mechanical engineers, to make new products at the right price, on time and in the
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correct quantity. As wetl as designing and selecting Ü) and materials,
they also organize people and finance. 25