Engineering Demonstration Interview

Are you preparing for an Oxford interview for Engineering?
In this demonstration video, Oxford University tutors Dr Brian Tang, college lecturer in Engineering Science at Balliol College, and James Cohen, Associate Professor in Engineering Science and tutorial fellow at Balliol College, will take you through what to expect during the interview process.
This was recorded with a first year Engineering student. The video begins with an introduction from the tutors explaining why they interview and what to expect from the conversation. This is followed by a sample interview, after which the tutors talk about how the interview went.
00:00 - Start
00:04 - Tutor Introduction
02:22 - Demonstration Interview
38:13 - Tutor Commentary
We recommend that you also watch our instructional video for online interviews for Engineering at ox.ac.uk/interviews. This explains step by step how the technology side of things will work. For Engineering you need a computer for video conferencing using Microsoft Teams, Interactive Virtual Whiteboard and Natural Handwriting Capture via a stylus.
For lots more info on what to expect from our interviews and further guidance on how you can prepare, visit: ox.ac.uk/interviews
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Do you have further questions? See if they’re answered below - or find out more at www.ox.ac.uk/interviews and www.ox.ac.uk/study.
Q: How will I find out if I have been invited to interview?
A: Shortlisted candidates will receive a letter or an email inviting them to interview, usually between the middle of November and early December.
Q: Will I have more than one interview?
A: This is quite likely to happen, and you might also be interviewed by more than one college. Visit our website to find out more about this process: www.ox.ac.uk/interviews
Q: How can I prepare?
A: Our top tip is to practise speaking about your subject and your thoughts about what you've seen or read. Check out our website for lots more suggestions of things you can do to prepare.
Q: What if I don’t know the answer?
A: There may be more than one right way to answer a question, in which case tutors will be more interested in exploring your thought process. Remember they are trying to find out how you think, so anything you say will interest them. If you think you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t panic, but try and apply your mind to it - you may surprise yourself! They are looking for evidence that you are willing to engage with new ideas, and that you can be flexible in your thinking. Top tip: don’t try and second guess what tutors are looking for - just be yourself.
Q: What happens if I need adjustments because of a disability?
A: If you need any adjustments, make sure that the college which has invited you to interview knows about these as soon as possible. Please see the interviews section of our ‘Guidance for disabled applicants’ page for more advice: ox.ac.uk/disabledstudents
Q: What software do I need? Do I need additional devices?
A: Everyone will need a computer with a microphone, speakers, and webcam. All interviews will be held on Microsoft Teams. If you think you might have any problems accessing the technology needed, talk to your school and if you still aren’t able to access it, then contact the college inviting you for interview. Whether you need additional software or devices will depend on the course you are applying for - visit our website to watch instructional videos which will take you through the technology requirements: www.ox.ac.uk/interviews
Q: Where will my interview(s) take place?
A: Online interviews should take place wherever you feel able to perform at your best. This should be somewhere you have reliable access to the required technology and a quiet space. We hope that this will be either in your school or college, or your home or similar environment. As soon as you receive your invitation to interview, we suggest that you discuss with your school or college where you would like this to take place.
For more information and FAQs, visit: www.ox.ac.uk/interviews

[@vadim64841]

Geez, I’d pass this exam with flying colors … start appreciating my high school

[@mindurownbussines]

I don't know why this video made me interested in learning math and physics at the age of 33 !

[@archiemorgan1194]

36:38 I understand that the centripetal force effectively acts inward but in this model surely it should be modelled as acting outwards? This would allow you to balance the equations in order to find the required velocity.

[@rogerphelps9939]

Every force has an equal and opposite reaction and they are balanced. That is Newton's third law, I think. In this case the weight component is trying to pull the marble outwards and the centripetal force is supplied by the horizontal component of the normal force exerted by the surface of the cone.

[@Froz_nanna]

No . The centripetal force is a centre seeking force, so it will always point into the circle. In this model, the centripetal force is the horizontal component of the normal force, and by resolving vertically you can find an expression of N (mg / sin α) then substitute it into the expression of the centripetal force, and you should get that the centripetal force = mg cot α. From there you can equate that to the equation for centripetal force (mv^2)/r [note that r = H tan α] and you get that v = √HG. Now you have an expression for the velocity in terms of the height of the cone, you can just equate it to the expression for velocity at the end of the ramp, so √HG = √2gh and square both sides and rearrange to get that the vertical height (h) of the ramp should be H/2 so that the marble has enough velocity to move in a horizontal circle.

[@aarnavsood28]

The centripetal force is a force required for circular motion. Any force that acts inwards towards the center of the circle can ACT as the centripetal force.
The CENTRIFUGAL force is the pseudo force corresponding to the centripetal force, which only exists in the frame of the rotating body. So, this will act ouwards.
For this problem you can do one of 2 things:
1) Find the net force towards the center and say that it PROVIDES the necessary centripetal force, thus you can equate them.
2) Shift to the marble's frame- here obviously the marble is at rest and undergoes no acceleration, so now you can say that the net force towards the center is balanced by the outwards CENTRIFUGAL force.
Of course, they both give the same answer.