Problems

Chapter 1
• 1.1 What are materials? List eight commonly encountered
engineering materials.
• 1.2 What are the main classes of engineering materials?
• 1.3 What are some of the important properties of each of the five
main classes of engineering materials?
• 1.19 Why should mechanical engineers be knowledgeable about
composition, properties, and processing of materials?
Chapter 2
• 2.5 What are the similarities and differences among protons, neutrons, and electrons? Compare
in detail.
• 2.8 Define (a) atomic number, (b) atomic mass, (c) atomic mass unit (amu), (d) mass number, (e)
isotopes, (f) mole, (g) relative atomic mass, (h) average relative atomic mass, and (i) Avogadro’s
number.
• 2.14 Describe the following terms (give a diagram for each): (a) electron density diagram, (b)
orbital, (c) boundary surface representation, and (d) radial probability.
• 2.19 Compare and contrast the three primary bonds in detail (draw a schematic for each). Explain
the driving force in the formation of such bonds, or in other words, why do atoms want to bond
at all?
• 2.25 Describe the properties (electrical, mechanical, etc.) of materials that are exclusively made
up of (a) ionic bonds, (b) covalent bonds, and (c) metallic bonds. Name a material for each type.
• 2.74 The melt temperature of Li (180°C) is significantly lower than the melt temperature of its
neighbor Be (1287°C). Can you explain this in terms of the differences in electronic structure?
• 2.79 Pure aluminum is a ductile metal with low tensile strength and hardness. Its oxide Al2O3
(alumina) is extremely strong, hard, and brittle. Can you explain this difference from an atomic
bonding point of view?