EXCERPT FROM “WINGS OF FIRE”
A large variety of materials go into the making of a launch vehicle— both metallic and non-metallic, which include composites and ceramics. In metals, different types of stainless steel, alloys of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, copper, beryllium, tungsten and molybdenum are used.
Composite materials are composed of a mixture or combination of two or more constituents which differ in form and material composition and which are essentially insoluble in one another. The materials which combine may be metallic, organic or inorganic. While other material combinations possible are virtually unlimited, the most typical composites in launch
Vehicles are made of structural constituents, embedded in a matrix. We used a large variety of glass fiber reinforced plastic composites and opened avenues for the entry of Kevlar, Polyamides and carbon-carbon composites. Ceramics are special types of baked clay used for microwave transparent enclosures. We considered using ceramics, but had to reject the idea then due to technological limitations.
Through mechanical engineering, these materials are transformed into hardware. In fact, of all the engineering disciplines which feed directly into the development of rocketry, mechanical engineering is perhaps the most intrinsic one. Be it a sophisticated system like a liquid engine or a piece of hardware as simple as a fastener, its ultimate fabrication calls for expert mechanical engineers and precision machine tools. We decided to develop important technologies like welding techniques for low- alloy stainless steel, electroforming techniques, and ultra-precision process tooling. We also
decided to make some important machines in-house, like the 254-litre vertical mixer and the groove machining facility for our third and fourth stages. Many of our subsystems were so massive and complex that they implied sizeable financial outlays.
Without any hesitation, we approached industries in the private sector and developed contract management plans which later became blueprints for many government-run science and technology business organizations.
- Dr. A. P. J. AbdulKalam
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions:
a) What are the two basic characteristics of composite materials?
b) Why didn’t the narrator use ceramics into the making of a launch vehicle?
c) Why does the narrator term mechanical engineering as the most interesting and valuable engineering discipline?
d) How did the private industries contribute in making of the launch vehicle?
e)Name the metals that go into the making of the launch vehicle.
f)What are ceramics ?
g)Find the word from para 4 which means the same as ‘enormous’
h)Find the word from para 4 which is the opposite of ‘guileless’
I)From where has the extract been taken
j ) What were used to make vehicles ?
Answers
Answer:
a) What are the two basic characteristics of composite materials?
Answer= Basic characteristics of composite materials are
(i) Their constituent differ in form and material composition .
(ii) They are essentially insoluble in one another.
b) Why didn’t the narrator use ceramics into the making of a launch vehicle?
Answer= Narrator considered using ceramics but couldn't do so because of technological limitations.
c) Why does the narrator term mechanical engineering as the most interesting and valuable engineering discipline?
Answer= The narrator term mechanical engineering as the most interesting and valuable engineering discipline because be it a sophisticated system like a liquid engine or a piece of hardware as simple as a fastener, its ultimate fabrication calls for expert mechanical engineers and precision machine tools.
d) How did the private industries contribute in making of the launch vehicle?
Answer= The concerned scientists approached industries in the private sector and developed contract management plans which later became blueprints for many government-run science and technology business organizations.
e)Name the metals that go into the making of the launch vehicle.
Answer= Stainless steel, alloys of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, copper, beryllium, tungsten and molybdenum .
f)What are ceramics ?
Answer= Ceramics are special types of baked clay used for microwave transparent enclosures.
g)Find the word from para 4 which means the same as ‘enormous'.
Answer= Massive, Large , Ultra, Sizable
I)From where has the extract been taken.
Answer= "wings of fire " by by A.P.J Abdul Kalam.
j ) What were used to make vehicles ?
Answer= Vehicles are made of structural constituents, embedded in a matrix. We used a large variety of glass fiber reinforced plastic composites and opened avenues for the entry of Kevlar, Polyamides and carbon-carbon composites.
Explanation: