Part VI. Graphs Unit 2 Describing Graphs

CD Tape-7. DESCRIBING A PIE CHART

I’d like to show you a pie chart which represents the use of plastics by sector. If we take a look, we can see that the largest sector which uses plastic is the packaging industry. You will notice that over a third of all plastics are used here.

As you can see, the building and construction sector is the second biggest, using 23 per cent. You will notice that together with packaging, more than half of all plastics consumption is in these two sectors. Take a look at the electrical and electronics industry, which consumes eight per cent, and you will see that the same figure applies to the furniture and houseware sector, as well as the transport sector. Agriculture accounts for slightly less plastics consumption, seven percent.

At the opposite end of the scale from packaging, you can see that the smallest sector is the footwear sector, using only one per cent. Both the medical and mechanical engineering sectors use slightly more plastic than footwear – two per cent, while the toys and sports sector accounts for one per cent more than this.

Glossary of engineering terms and abbreviations

The definitions in this glossary refer to words only as they are used in this tutorial. The meanings of certain words will vary according to context. As the texts in this tutorial are authentic and come from a variety of sources, some inconsistency in hyphenation and spelling is inevitable.

Abbreviations used in the texts

kg/m³= kilogram per cubic meter

kph = kilometers per hour

MN/m² = meganewton per square meter

psi = pound on square inch

Brit = Britain

Us = United States

Fig. = figure

n = noun

v = verb

adj = adjective

adv = adverb

para = paragraph

phrv = phrasal verb

pl = plural

A

acceleration n - a vehicle's capacity to gain speed

adhesion n - the action or process of adhering to a surface or object

alloy n - a metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, especially to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion

alkali n - a compound with particular chemical properties including turning litmus blue and neutralizing or effervescing with acids; typically, a caustic or corrosive substance of this kind such as lime or soda

anneal v - heat (metal or glass) and allow it to cool slowly, in order to remove internal stresses

automation n - the use or introduction of automatic equipment in a manufacturing or other process or facility

automobile n (Us) - a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor and able to carry a small number of people

B

bar n - a long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material

bar chart n - a graph which uses parallel rectangular shapes to represent changes in the size, value, or rate of something or to compare the amount of something relating to a number of different countries or groups

bearing n - a support, guide, or locating piece for a rotating or reciprocating mechanical part

bend v - shape or force (something straight) into a curve or angle

billet n - a small bar of metal for further processing

body n - the main section of a motor vehicle or aircraft

brake n, v - a device for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, typically by applying pressure to the wheels; to make a moving vehicle slow down or stop by using a brake

breach n - a crack, break, or rupture

brittle adj - hard but liable to break easily

bug n - a mistake in a computer system

C

cam n - a specially profiled part which is fitted to a rotating shaft to produce linear motion

capacitor n - a device used to store an electric charge, consisting of one or more pairs of conductors separated by an insulator

car n - also see motorcar, automobile - a self-propelled road vehicle designed to carry passengers, esp. one with four wheels that is powered by an internal-combustion engine

cast v - shape (metal or other material) by pouring it into a mould while molten

cellulose n - a polysaccharide consisting of long unbranched chains of linked glucose units: the main constituent of plant cell walls and used in making paper, rayon, and film

chassis n - the base frame of a car, carriage, or other wheeled vehicle

chisel n - a hand tool for working wood, consisting of a flat steel blade with a cutting edge attached to a handle of wood, plastic, etc.

chuck n - a device for holding a workpiece in a lathe or a tool in a drill, typically having three or four jaws that move radially in and out

circuit n - a system of electrical conductors and components forming an electrical circuit

circumference n - the enclosing boundary of a curved geometric figure, especially a circle

clamp n - a mechanical device with movable jaws with which an object can be secured to a bench or with which two objects may be secured together

clutch n - a mechanism for connecting and disconnecting an engine and the transmission system in a vehicle, or the working parts of any machine

coating n - a thin layer or covering of something

combustion chamber n - an enclosed space in which combustion takes place, especially in an engine or furnace

composition n - the nature of something's ingredients or constituents; the way in which a whole or mixture is made up

compression n - the effect of forces which act to squash a structure

computer n -an electronic device which is capable of receiving information (data) in a particular form and of performing a sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of procedural instructions (program) to produce a result in the form of information or signals

consumption n - the amount of fuel or natural resources that is used or the act of using them

corrosion n - a process in which a solid, esp. a metal, is eaten away and changed by a chemical action, as in the oxidation of iron in the presence of water by an electrolytic process

corrosion-resistant adj – describes a material which can be used in environments where long term strength or appearance is important

creep n - the gradual deformation of a plastic solid under stress

crevice corrosion n – corrosion in cracks or crevices in pipes carrying liquids

cutter n - a tool that is used for cutting through something

D

data n - a series of observations, measurements, or facts; information

decompose v - break down (organic matter) or (of organic matter) to be broken down physically and chemically by bacterial or fungal action; rot

density n - the quantity of mass per unit volume of a substance

dependable adj - trustworthy and reliable

detect v - discover or identify the presence or existence of

dimension n - a measurable extent of a particular kind, such as length, breadth, depth, or height

die n - a device for cutting or moulding metal into a particular shape

diesel engine n - an internal combustion engine in which oil is burnt by very hot air

differential n - a gear allowing a vehicle's driven wheels to revolve at different speeds in cornering

disc n - an information storage device for a computer in the shape of a round flat plate which can be rotated to give access to all parts of the surface

dismantle v - separate a machine or structure into different parts

download v - copy (data) from one computer system to another or to a disk

drawplate n - a plate used to reduce the diameter of wire by drawing it through conical holes

ductile adj - (of a metal) able to be drawn out into a thin wire

E

edge n - the outside limit of an object, area, or surface

efficiency n - the quality or state of being efficient; competence; effectiveness

elastic limit n - the point at which a material will no longer return to its original shape after tensile forces are released

eliminate v - completely remove or get rid of (something)

engine n - any machine designed to convert energy, esp. heat energy, into mechanical work

environment n - the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates

error n - a mistake or inaccuracy

escalator n - moving stairs

exhaust n - waste gases or air expelled from an engine, turbine, or other machine in the course of its operation

F

fabric n - cloth produced by weaving or knitting textile fibres

faceplate n - a perforated circular metal plate that can be attached to the headstock of a lathe in order to hold flat or irregularly shaped workpieces

facility n - space or equipment necessary for doing something

factory n - a building or group of buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled chiefly by machine

failure n - the act or an instance of failing

fatigue n - weakness in metal or other materials caused by repeated variations of stress

feedback n - information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc. which is used as a basis for improvement

fender n - the part of a car body that surrounds the wheels

fibre n - a natural or synthetic filament that may be spun into yarn, such as cotton or nylon

file n - a tool with a roughened surface or surfaces, typically of steel, used for smoothing or shaping a hard material

film n - a thin flexible strip of plastic

final drive n - the last part of the transmission system in a motor vehicle

flat adj - having a broad level surface but little height or depth; shallow

flaw n - a mistake or shortcoming

flax n - a plant with blue flowers. Its stem is used for making thread, rope, and cloth, and its seeds are used for making linseed oil

flex v - bend or become bent

fluid n - a substance that has no fixed shape and yields easily to external pressure; a gas or a liquid

flywheel n - a heavy revolving wheel in a machine which is used to increase the machine's momentum and thereby provide greater stability or a reserve of available power

fibreglass n - plastic strengthened with short, thin threads of glass

foam n - a mass of small bubbles formed on or in liquid, typically by agitation or fermentation

fracture n - the cracking or breaking of a hard object or material

fuel n - any substance burned as a source of heat or power, such as coal or petrol

G

gasoline n - petrol

gear n - (often gears) a toothed wheel that works with others to alter the relation between the speed of a driving mechanism (such as the engine of a vehicle) and the speed of the driven parts (the wheels)

gearbox n - a set of gears with its casing, especially in a motor vehicle; the transmission

gradient n - an inclined part of a road or railway; a slope

grain n - a discrete particle or crystal in a metal, igneous rock, etc., typically visible only when a surface is magnified

graph n - a diagram showing the relation between variable quantities, typically of two variables, each measured along one of a pair of axes at right angles

groove n - a long, narrow cut or depression in a hard material

H

hardening n - the act or process of becoming or making hard

hardware n - the machines, wiring, and other physical components of a computer or other electronic system

head-on adj - with or involving the front of a vehicle

headstock n- the part of a machine that supports and transmits the drive to the chuck

hemp n - the fibre of the cannabis plant, extracted from the stem and used to make rope, strong fabrics, fiberboard, and paper

hood n - the bonnet of a motor vehicle

humidity n - the state or quality of being humid; a quantity representing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere or in a gas

I

icon n - a symbol or graphic representation on a VDU screen of a program, option, or window

identify v - establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is; recognize or distinguish (especially something considered worthy of attention)

ignition n - the process of starting the combustion of fuel in the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine

impurity n – is a substance that is present in small quantities in another substance and make it dirty or of an unacceptable quality

infrared adj - having a wavelength just greater than that of the red end of the visible light spectrum but less than that of microwaves. Infrared radiation has a wavelength from about 800 nm to 1 mm, and is emitted particularly by heated objects

input device n - a peripheral device that accepts data and feeds it into a computer

integrity n - internal consistency or lack of corruption in electronic data

internal-combustion engine n - a heat engine in which heat is supplied by burning the fuel in the working fluid (usually air)

Internet n - is the computer network which allows computer users to connect with computers all over the world, and which carries e-mail

J

jute n - rough fiber made from the stems of a tropical Old World plant, used for making twine and rope or woven into sacking or matting

K

keyboard n - a panel of keys that operate a computer or typewriter

L

lathe n- a machine for shaping, boring, facing, or cutting a screw thread in metal, wood, etc., in which the workpiece is turned about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool

linear adj - arranged in or extending along a straight or nearly straight line

LVDT – linear variable differential transformer

lubricate v – put oil, grease, etc. on the parts of a machine so that they move smoothly

M

machine tool n - a fixed powered tool such as a lathe, for cutting or shaping metal, wood, or other material

maintenance n- the process of keeping something in good condition

malleable adj - able to be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking or cracking

manual n - relating to or done with the hands

mechatronics n - technology combining electronics and mechanical engineering

melt v - make or become liquefied by heating

menu n - a list of commands or facilities displayed on screen

metallurgy n - the branch of science and technology concerned with the properties of metals and their production and purification

mild steel n - steel which contains only a small percentage of carbon and is strong and easily worked but not readily tempered or hardened

moisture n - water or other liquid diffused in a small quantity as vapor, within a solid, or condensed on a surface

motive power n - any source of energy used to produce motion

motorcar n (Brit) - a more formal word for car

mould n - a hollow container used to give shape to molten or hot liquid material when it cools and hardens

N

nylon n - a tough, lightweight, elastic synthetic polymer with a protein-like chemical structure, able to be produced as filaments, sheets, or moulded objects

O

obstacle n - a thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress

orifice n - an opening, as of a pipe or tube

oscillate v - move or swing back and forth in a regular rhythm

output n - the power, energy, or other results supplied by a device or system

oxide n - any compound of oxygen with another element

P

page n - a section of stored data, especially that which can be displayed on a screen at one time

peg n - a short pin or bolt, typically tapered at one end, that is used for securing something in place, hanging things on, or marking a position

pendulum n - a weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely, especially a rod with a weight at the end that regulates the mechanism of a clock

performance n - the capabilities of a machine, product, or vehicle

petrol (gasoline) engine n - an internal-combustion engine that uses petrol as fuel

pie chart n - a type of graph in which a circle is divided into sectors that each represent a proportion of the whole

piston n - a cylinder or metal disc that is part of an engine

pitting n – corrosion due to localized chemical reaction

plane n - a flat surface on which a straight line joining any two points on it would wholly lie

plasticizer n - a substance (typically a solvent) added to a synthetic resin to produce or promote plasticity and flexibility and to reduce brittleness

polyester n - a synthetic resin in which the polymer units are linked by ester groups, used chiefly to make synthetic textile fibres

polymerization n - the act or process of forming a polymer or copolymer, esp. a chemical reaction in which a polymer is formed

porosity n - the state or condition of being porous

process v - operate on (data) by means of a program

propeller shaft n - a shaft transmitting power from an engine to a propeller or to the wheels of a motor vehicle

property n - a quality, attribute, or distinctive feature of anything, esp. a characteristic attribute such as the density or strength of a material

punch v, n - press (a button or key on a machine); a device or machine for making holes in materials such as paper, leather, or metal

pump n - a mechanical device using suction or pressure to raise or move liquids, compress gases, or force air into inflatable objects such as tyres

R

raw material n - the basic material from which a product is made

reciprocate v - move backward and forward in a straight line

recognize v - identify (someone or something) from having encountered them before; know again

remotely adv - from a distance; without physical contact

rigid adj - unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible

rivet n - a short metal pin or bolt for holding together two plates of metal, its headless end being beaten out or pressed down when in place

robot n - a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer; a machine resembling a human being and able to replicate certain human movements and functions automatically; a person who behaves in a mechanical or unemotional manner

rotate v - move or cause to move in a circle round an axis or centre

rubber n - a tough elastic polymeric substance made from the latex of a tropical plant or synthetically

rupture v - break or burst suddenly

rusty adj - covered with, affected by, or consisting of rust which is a brown substance that forms on iron or steel when it comes into contact with water

S

saw n - a hand tool for cutting wood or other hard materials, typically with a long, thin serrated blade and operated using a backwards and forwards movement

screw n - a short, slender, sharp-pointed metal pin with a raised helical thread running around it and a slotted head, used to join things together by being rotated so that it pierces wood or other material and is held tightly in place

scroll v - move displayed text or graphics in a particular direction (move up, down, or across) on a computer screen in order to view different parts of them

semiconductor n - a solid substance that has a conductivity between that of an insulator and that of most metals, either due to the addition of an impurity or because of temperature effects

surf v - move from site to site on (the Internet)

shear n - a strain produced by pressure in the structure of a substance, when its layers are laterally shifted in relation to each other

sheet n - a broad flat piece of material such as metal or glass

software n - the programs and other operating information used by a computer

solution n - a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances in which the molecules or atoms of the substances are completely dispersed. The constituents can be solids, liquids, or gases

spindle n - a rod or stick that has a notch in the top, used to draw out natural fibres for spinning into thread, and a long narrow body around which the thread is wound when spun

spreadsheet n - computer program used chiefly for accounting, in which figures arranged in the rows and columns of a grid can be manipulated and used in calculations

spring n - an elastic device, typically a helical metal coil, that can be pressed or pulled but returns to its former shape when released, used chiefly to exert constant tension or absorb movement

steering n - the action of steering a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft

strength n - the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure

stroke n - the whole motion of a piston in either direction

subject v - to cause to undergo the application

substance n - a particular kind of matter with uniform properties

suffer v - undergo or be subjected to

T

tank n - a large receptacle or storage chamber, especially for liquid or gas; the container holding the fuel supply in a motor vehicle

tap n - a device by which a flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container can be controlled

tension n - the effect of pulling force which tends to stretch a body

thread n - a helical ridge on the outside of a screw, bolt, etc. or on the inside of a cylindrical hole, to allow two parts to be screwed together

thrust n - the propulsive force of a jet or rocket engine

torsion n - the action of twisting

toughness n - the ability of a material to withstand repeated twisting and bending, measured by the energy in kilojoules needed to break it

traffic warden n - a person whose job is to make sure that cars are not parked illegally

train n - a series of connected railway carriages or wagons moved by a locomotive or by integral motors

tyre n - a rubber covering, typically inflated or surrounding an inflated inner tube, placed round a wheel to form a soft contact with the road

U

unauthorized adj - not having official permission or approval

V

valve n - a device for controlling the passage of fluid through a pipe or duct, especially an automatic device allowing movement in one direction only

vehicle n - a machine with an engine, for example a bus, car, or truck, that carries people or things from place to place

versatile adj - able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities

vessel n - any object used as a container, esp. for a liquid

visibility n - the distance one can see as determined by light and weather conditions

void n - a completely empty space

volume n - the amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a container

vulnerable adj - exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally

W

web n - the World Wide Web or the Internet

windshield wiper n - a motor-driven device for keeping a windshield clear of rain, typically one with a rubber blade on an arm that moves in an arc

wire n - metal drawn out into the form of a thin flexible thread or rod

workpiece n - an object being worked on with a tool or machine

wrapping n – paper, plastic, etc. used for covering something in order to protect it

Y

yield point n – the point where the elastic limit is reached