Teaching science, technology, and society to engineering students: a sixteen year journey

Haldun M Ozaktas1

  • 1Department of Electrical Engineering, Bilkent University, 06800, Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey, haldun@ee.bilkent.edu.tr.

Related Concept Videos

One-Degree-of-Freedom System01:24

One-Degree-of-Freedom System

In mechanical engineering, one-degree-of-freedom systems form the basis of a wide range of electrical and mechanical components. Using these models, engineers can predict the behavior of various parts in a larger system, which gives them insight into how different forces interact with each other.
A one-degree-of-freedom system is defined by an independent variable that determines its state and behavior. One example of a one-degree-of-freedom system is a simple harmonic oscillator, such as a...
Screw: Problem Solving01:21

Screw: Problem Solving

In mechanical engineering, the interaction between a threaded screw shaft and a plate gear involves analyzing the resisting torque on the plate gear that can be overpowered when a specific torsional moment is applied to the shaft. To better comprehend this concept, consider a generic situation with a threaded screw shaft with a given mean radius and lead and a plate gear with a specified mean radius. The coefficient of static friction between the screw and gear is also provided.
To evaluate the...
Principle of Virtual Work: Problem Solving01:13

Principle of Virtual Work: Problem Solving

The principle of virtual work is an essential concept in the field of mechanics and engineering. This is used to solve problems related to the equilibrium of a structure or system. It is based on the assumption that if a system is in equilibrium, the work done by all the forces during a virtual displacement is zero. This principle is applied by considering virtual displacements of the system and the corresponding work done by internal and external forces.
To apply the principle of virtual work,...
Frictional Forces on Screws01:17

Frictional Forces on Screws

Screws are characterized by a helical ridge known as a thread wrapped around a cylindrical shaft. They are commonly used as fasteners to hold objects together or to transmit power and motion in machines. One type of screw that is particularly useful for transmitting power is the square-threaded screw.
A jack with a square-threaded screw is a mechanical device used to lift heavy loads by applying a force at its handle. When the force is applied, the screw turns, raising the load. The screw can...
Friction: Problem Solving01:21

Friction: Problem Solving

Friction is an essential force that influences the motion of objects in daily life. Depending on the situation, it can be either beneficial or problematic. Consider a bus with a mass of three megagrams and its center of mass at a specific point, moving along a banked road at a constant speed. The coefficient of static friction between the tires and the road is 0.5. Find the maximum angle of the banked road at which the bus would not slip or tip.
Initially, a visual representation of the...
Virtual Work01:20

Virtual Work

The principle of virtual work states that if a body is in static and dynamic equilibrium, then the sum of all the virtual work done by all external forces and couple moments for any given virtual displacement must be zero.
In static equilibrium, a body can experience an imaginary or virtual movement, such as displacement or rotation. The virtual work done by a force is equal to the dot product of force and virtual displacement in the direction of the force. When it comes to virtually rotating a...