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    Example and Directions
    Words (or words that have the same definition) The definition is case sensitive (Optional) Image to display with the definition [Not displayed in Glossary, only in pop-up on pages] (Optional) Caption for Image (Optional) External or Internal Link (Optional) Source for Definition
    (Eg. "Genetic, Hereditary, DNA ...") (Eg. "Relating to genes or heredity") The infamous double helix https://bio.libretexts.org/ CC-BY-SA; Delmar Larsen
    Words (or words that have the same definition) Definition
    Absolute Cell Reference A spreadsheet reference (e.g., $B$1) that does not change when copied. Used to keep constants fixed during parameter sweeps.
    Allowable Stress The maximum stress a component is permitted to experience ($\sigma_{\text{allow}} = \frac{\sigma_{\text{yield}}}{\text{SF}}$).
    Ampere (A) The SI unit of electric current. One ampere equals one coulomb of charge per second.
    Assumption A stated simplification accepted for modeling purposes. Must be documented in the Background section of any technical memo.
    Auditable The standard that an engineering document or model can be reviewed and verified by another engineer not involved in creating it.
    Buckling The sudden lateral collapse of a compression member at loads well below material yield stress. Bundling members and keeping them short both increase buckling resistance.
    CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Software that creates precise digital geometry models. Parametric CAD (Fusion 360, SolidWorks) defines geometry through dimensions and constraints so the model updates when parameters change.
    Conditional Formatting An Excel feature that changes cell appearance based on its value. Used in the Cable Car Project to provide a visual velocity map.
    Constraint A limitation or requirement on a design. Hard constraints cannot be violated. Soft constraints are objectives to optimize within the hard constraint boundaries.
    Current (I) The rate of electric charge flow, measured in amperes ($I = \frac{Q}{t}$).
    Decision Matrix A tool for comparing design alternatives against weighted criteria. Makes the basis of a design choice explicit and auditable.
    Design Intent The engineering logic embedded in a parametric CAD model that determines how geometry behaves when parameters change.
    Dimensional Analysis Verifying equations and converting units by treating units algebraically. Units must cancel to produce the correct unit for the result.
    Element-Wise Operators MATLAB operators (./, .*, .^) that apply arithmetic to each element of a vector individually rather than performing matrix operations.
    Equivalent Resistance A single resistance representing a combination: $R_{\text{eq}} = R_1 + R_2$ (series); $\frac{1}{R_{\text{eq}}} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2}$ (parallel).
    Ethics (Engineering) The professional obligation to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in all engineering decisions. Governed by the NCEES Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
    Extrude A CAD operation that extends a 2D sketch profile into a 3D solid body.
    Feature Tree The sequential record of all modeling operations in a parametric CAD system. Can be edited, but later features that depend on earlier ones may be affected.
    Fully Constrained Sketch A CAD sketch with no remaining degrees of freedom — shown in black in Fusion 360. Under-constrained sketches (blue) can drift unexpectedly.
    IF / IFS Function Excel functions for piecewise models: =IF(condition, true_value, false_value). IFS handles multiple conditions more cleanly than nested IF.
    Iteration The process of systematically refining a design toward the objective while staying within constraints. Not redoing work because of errors.
    Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) Currents entering a node equal currents leaving ($\sum I_{\text{in}} = \sum I_{\text{out}}$). An expression of conservation of charge.
    Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) Voltages around any closed loop sum to zero ($\sum V = 0$). An expression of conservation of energy.
    Limitation Statement An explicit statement of when an analysis is valid and when it is not. Omitting a known limitation is misleading communication.
    Logical Indexing A MATLAB technique for extracting vector elements satisfying a condition: V(P < 0.25) returns only voltages where power is safe.
    NCEES Model Rules The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Primary obligation: hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
    Nonlinear Relationship A relationship where the rate of change is not constant. $P = \frac{V^2}{R}$ is quadratic: doubling voltage quadruples power.
    Ohm's Law The linear relationship between voltage, current, and resistance ($V = IR$).
    Parallel Circuit Circuit topology where all components connect between the same two nodes. Voltage is the same across all branches; current divides ($I_{\text{total}} = I_1 + I_2$).
    Parameter Sweep Systematic variation of one input across a range, with output computed at each value. The primary technique for understanding system behavior across an operating range.
    Parametric Modeling A CAD approach where geometry is defined through adjustable dimensions and constraints, updating automatically when parameters change.
    Power (P) Rate of energy transfer in watts ($P = VI = I^2 R = \frac{V^2}{R}$). Grows with the square of voltage — the primary safety check in circuit design.
    RADIANS() The Excel function that converts degrees to radians. Must wrap all trig arguments: =SIN(RADIANS(A10)). Forgetting produces a silent wrong answer.
    Relative Cell Reference A spreadsheet reference (e.g., B3) that shifts when copied. Used for the swept variable in a parameter sweep.
    Safety Factor (SF) Ratio of allowable capacity to actual load: $\text{SF} = \frac{\text{Capacity}}{\text{Load}}$. An ethical acknowledgment of irreducible uncertainty.
    Scientific Report Format The standard format for reporting experimental work: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion. Used for the Bridge Challenge report.
    Series Circuit Circuit topology where all components share one current path. Current is the same everywhere; voltage divides ($V_{\text{total}} = V_1 + V_2$).
    sind() / cosd() / tand() MATLAB functions accepting angles in degrees directly. Preferred over sin()/cos()/tan() when angles are in degrees. The d suffix stands for "degrees."
    Stress ($\sigma$) Force per unit area: $\sigma = \frac{F}{A}$. Measured in pascals (Pa) or megapascals (MPa).
    Structured Problem Solving The engineering workflow: Define $\rightarrow$ Model $\rightarrow$ Analyze $\rightarrow$ Interpret $\rightarrow$ Communicate. Applies universally across calculations, models, scripts, circuits, and documents.
    Technical Memo A structured engineering communication document with six sections: Purpose, Background, Methodology, Results, Analysis, Conclusion and Recommendation.
    Tension A pulling force in a structural member. Members in tension are being stretched. In bridge structures, the bottom chord is typically in tension under a center load.
    Unit Discipline The consistent and correct use of units throughout all modeling and analysis. Converting to consistent units before substitution is the first line of defense against silent errors.
    Voltage (V) Electric potential difference measured in volts ($V = IR$). Drives current through a circuit.
       

    Glossary Entries

    Word(s)

    Definition

    		 Image Caption Link Source
    Break Even Point Point when total cumulative revenues equal total costs        
    Words(s) Definition
    Break Even Point Point when total cumulative revenues equal total costs
       
       
       
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