Practice IB Design Technology (First Exam 2027) Topic A3.3 Introduction to Mechanical Systems with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for A3.3 Introduction to Mechanical Systems and mirrors Paper 1, 2 style where relevant.
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Tavner Engines manufactures the camshaft shown in Figure 3 for a petrol engine. The camshaft rotates, and each lobe pushes against a follower that opens an engine valve. A spring closes the valve again as the lobe turns away. The valves must open quickly, stay open only while the fuel and air enter or the exhaust leaves, and then remain firmly shut for the rest of the cycle while the fuel burns.
Figure 3: Camshafts for a petrol engine, showing the shaped lobes along each shaft
State the type of motion produced at the follower by the rotating cam.
Outline how the cam and follower convert rotary motion into the motion identified in (a).
Explain why a pear cam is used to operate the valves of an internal combustion engine.
State the cam profile that would produce a rise and fall of uniform velocity with no dwell period.
Corvid Cycles builds the bicycle shown in Figure 1. The rider's pedals turn the front chainring, and a chain carries the drive back to a sprocket on the rear wheel. The teeth of the chainring mesh with the links of the chain, so the chain acts as an interconnecting gear rather than as a friction drive. Corvid's engineers are being asked by the marketing team to replace the chain with a rubber belt drive, on the grounds that a belt is cleaner, quieter and needs no oiling.
Figure 1: Bicycle chainring and chain, showing the chain links meshing with the teeth of the chainring
State the type of motion transmitted from the chainring to the rear sprocket.
Outline how power is transmitted in the chain and sprocket system shown in Figure 1.
Evaluate the marketing team's proposal to replace the chain and sprocket with a belt drive.
Which component converts rotary motion into reciprocating motion?
Which class of lever is shown in this diagram?