1. Engineering i s the professional art of applying science to the optimum
conversion of the resources of nature to the uses
of humankind. The word
engine i s derived from the Latin root ingenerate, which means «to create». The
engines of war were devices such a s catapults, floating bridges, and assault
towers; their designer was the «engineer», or military engineer. The counterpart
of the military engineer was the civil engineer, who applied essentially the same
knowledge and skills to designing buildings, streets, water supplies, sewage
systems, and other projects.
2 . The function of the scientist is to know, while that of the engineer is to
do. The scientist adds to the store of verified, systematized knowledge of the
physical world; the engineer brings this knowledge to bear
on practical
problems. Engineering
principally on physics, chemistry, and
mathematics and their into materials science, solid and fluid
mechanics, thermodynamics, transfer and rate processes, and systems analysis
3. Unlike the scientist, the engineer is not free to select the problem that
interests him; he must solve problems as they arise; his solution must satisfy
conflicting requirements. Usually efficiency costs money; safety adds to
complexity; improved performance increases weight. The engineering solution
is the optimum solution, the end result that is most desirable. It may be the most
reliable within a given weight limit, the simplest that will satisfy certain safety
requirements, or the most efficient for a given cost. In many engineering
problems the social costs are significant.
4. Engineers employ two types of natural resources - materials and
energy. Materials are useful because of their properties: their strength, case of
fabrication, lightness, or durability; their ability to insulate or conduct; their
chemical, electrical, or acoustical properties. Important sources of energy
include fossil fuels, wind, sunlight, falling water, and nuclear fission. Since
most resources are limited, the engineer must concern himself with the
continual development of new resources as well as the efficient utilization of
existing ones.
Задание Nº 1. Содержанию текста соответствует утверждение:
- Engineers employ material resources because they are unlimited.
- Thermodynamics is one of the basic parts of engincering.
- Few engineering solutions should take into account social costs.
- The quality of work of a mechanical engineer i s continually falling.
Задание Nº 2. Укажите, какой части текста (1, 2, 3, 4-й) соответствует
следующая информация:
- Differences in the functions of scientists and engineers.
16
- The origin of the term "engineer" and its meaning.
Задание Nº 3.Ответьте на вопрос:
What is meant by «engineering solution»?
- The solution i s considered to b e engineering if only engineers take part
in solving arising problems.
- The solution i s considered t o be engineering if i t is reliable n o matter
how heavy it is.
- The solution is considered to b e engineering if i t satisfies the
requirements o f efficiency, reliability and simplicity i n the cheapest way
possible.
- The solution is considered to be engineering if it suggests applying new
technological methods of production.
Задание Nº 4. Определите основную идею текста.
1 . Civil engineers verify and systematize data obtained b y the scientists
2. To be a good engineer one must study physics, chemistry, and
mathematics.
3. Engineers store knowledge o f the physical world.
4. The main function of a n engineer is t o use scientific knowledge in
solving practical problems.
Верное утверждение:
• Thermodynamics is one of the basic parts of engineering.
Задание № 2
– Differences in the functions of scientists and engineers — параграф 2.
– The origin of the term “engineer” and its meaning — параграф 1.
Задание № 3
Engineering solution — это оптимальное решение, удовлетворяющее требованиям эффективности, надежности и простоты при минимально возможных затратах.
Правильный вариант:
• The solution is considered to be engineering if it satisfies the requirements of efficiency, reliability and simplicity in the cheapest way possible.
Задание № 4
Основная идея текста:
4. The main function of an engineer is to use scientific knowledge in solving practical problems.