Control theory and feedback mechanisms MCQs – Aerospace

1. What is the primary goal of a control system in aerospace applications?
(A) To increase speed
(B) To maintain stability and performance
(C) To reduce fuel consumption
(D) To enhance cargo capacity

2. In a feedback control system, what does the feedback loop do?
(A) It adjusts the control input based on the output
(B) It sets the desired target value
(C) It generates a constant input signal
(D) It measures the system’s noise

3. What is the term for the difference between the desired value and the actual value in a control system?
(A) Disturbance
(B) Error
(C) Feedback
(D) Gain

4. What does the term “proportional control” refer to in a feedback control system?
(A) A control method that adjusts the input proportionally to the error
(B) A method that eliminates all feedback
(C) A technique that integrates the error over time
(D) A method that differentiates the error

5. In a PID controller, what does the ‘I’ term represent?
(A) Integral control
(B) Input control
(C) Inductive control
(D) Interactive control

6. What type of feedback is used to stabilize a control system?
(A) Positive feedback
(B) Negative feedback
(C) Neutral feedback
(D) Random feedback

7. Which component of a PID controller adjusts based on the rate of change of the error?
(A) Proportional
(B) Integral
(C) Derivative
(D) Feedback

8. What is the purpose of the “integral” component in a PID controller?
(A) To eliminate steady-state error
(B) To respond to rapid changes in error
(C) To set the reference input
(D) To increase system gain

9. In a control system, what does “stability” refer to?
(A) The system’s ability to return to equilibrium after a disturbance
(B) The system’s ability to increase speed
(C) The system’s ability to handle multiple inputs
(D) The system’s ability to reduce noise

10. What is the main function of the “proportional” component in a PID controller?
(A) To adjust the control input based on the current error
(B) To integrate the error over time
(C) To predict future error
(D) To counteract noise

11. Which type of control system is often used for high-speed applications requiring precise control?
(A) Open-loop control
(B) Closed-loop control
(C) Manual control
(D) Adaptive control

12. What is the primary advantage of a closed-loop control system over an open-loop system?
(A) Greater simplicity
(B) Better stability and accuracy
(C) Reduced computational needs
(D) Lower cost

13. What does the term “gain” refer to in control theory?
(A) The ratio of output to input in a system
(B) The feedback error
(C) The integration rate of the error
(D) The differentiation of the error

14. In control theory, what does the term “disturbance” refer to?
(A) An external factor that affects the system’s performance
(B) The error between desired and actual values
(C) The system’s feedback loop
(D) The gain of the system

15. What is the primary function of the “derivative” component in a PID controller?
(A) To predict future error based on the rate of change
(B) To eliminate steady-state error
(C) To integrate the error over time
(D) To adjust the control input proportionally