Engineering

Fade (audio engineering): types, techniques, and uses Fade (audio engineering) A fade is a gradual change in audio level—fade-in, fade-out, crossfade—used in recording, mixing, live sound and broadcasting. This article explains methods, curves, examples and p…

Failure rate: definition, measures, models and practical importance Failure rate Failure rate is the frequency at which a component or system ceases to perform. This article explains definitions, units, common models (MTBF, exponential, Weibull), applications a…

Fan: machines, handheld tools, and supporters (fandom) Fan A fan can be an airflow-producing machine, a handheld object, or a devoted follower. This article explains types, parts, history, uses and the cultural meaning of fans and fandom.

Farrier: Hoof Care and Horseshoeing Specialist Farrier A farrier trims and shoes horse hooves, diagnoses common hoof problems, and provides corrective and preventive care in partnership with veterinarians.

Fiberglass (glass fibre): composition, history, properties and uses Fiberglass Fiberglass is a silica-based fiber material used alone and as reinforcement in polymer composites (FRP/GRP). This article explains its manufacture, properties, history, common form…

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP): composition, properties, and uses Fibre-reinforced polymer Overview of fibre-reinforced polymers: constituents, typical fibres and resins, properties, manufacturing methods, applications, inspection and sustainability considerations.

File extension A filename suffix that indicates the file's type and suggests which application or service can open or process it; varies by operating system, format, and convention.

Electronic filter (signal processing) Filter (electronics) An electronic filter is a circuit or algorithm that selects, suppresses or shapes frequency components of electrical signals; used in audio, radio, instrumentation and digital sign…

Finery forge: traditional hearth for making wrought iron Finery forge A finery forge is a hearth-based furnace used historically to convert pig iron into wrought iron by oxidizing carbon and slag. It powered pre-industrial ironworking until puddling…

Finished goods: manufactured items ready for sale or distribution Finished goods Finished goods are products that have completed manufacturing and are ready for sale, shipment, or final assembly; important for inventory, accounting, and supply-chain management.

Finite Element Method: Principles, Components, Applications and Practical Guidance Finite element method Overview of the finite element method (FEM): how it works, main components, historical development, typical applications, common pitfalls, and practical guidance for validation and…

Fire blanket: design, use, maintenance, and safety Fire blanket A fire blanket is a flexible sheet of fire-resistant material used to smother small fires or protect people. This article explains types, correct use, limitations, care, and differ…

Fire extinguisher: types, design, use and maintenance Fire extinguisher Portable and vehicle-mounted devices that suppress small fires. Covers types, fire classes, operation, history, common uses and basic inspection and service considerations.

Fire hose: design, types, history and practical uses Fire hose Flexible tubing used to convey water from pumps to fires. Covers construction, common sizes and couplings, historical development, operational roles, and maintenance and safety con…

Fire hydrant A fire hydrant is a street-level connection to a municipal water supply used by firefighters. This article explains types, parts, operation, maintenance, history and regulatory con…

Fire pump A fire pump is a mechanical device that raises water pressure from a supply source to deliver required flow and pressure for sprinklers, standpipes and hydrants in buildings and in…

Fire-tube boiler A fire-tube boiler produces steam by passing hot combustion gases through tubes surrounded by water. Simple and robust, it was widely used in locomotives, small plants, and heating…

Firebreak: design, uses and limitations in wildfire control Firebreak A firebreak is a cleared or treated strip that removes combustible material to slow or stop wildland fires. Used with other tactics, it reduces fire spread by denying fuel continui…

Firefighting: methods, risks, equipment, and history Firefighting Comprehensive overview of firefighting: objectives, tactics, protective equipment, hazards, organization, prevention and historical development.

Fireproofing: Passive protection for structures and components Fireproofing Fireproofing is the application of materials and assemblies that help structural elements resist fire while retaining intended function. It includes coatings, boards, and design st…

First Normal Form (1NF) in Relational Databases First normal form First normal form (1NF) requires that each table column holds atomic values and contains no repeating groups; it is the basic requirement for structured relational tables.

First officer (airline co‑pilot) First officer A first officer, commonly called the co‑pilot, is the second pilot on a multi‑crew aircraft, sharing flight duties with the captain, acting as second‑in‑command and assuming comman…

Fisheye lens: ultra wide-angle photographic optics and applications Fisheye lens An overview of fisheye lenses: design principles, types of projection, historical development, common uses (photography, astronomy, surveillance), and practical distinctions from r…

Fishing hook A fishing hook is a small, pointed device used to secure and land fish. Designs vary by shape, size and material to suit different species, baits and fishing methods; barbed and ba…

Fishing Line: Types, Properties, and Practical Uses Fishing line An overview of fishing line—materials, ratings, common types, uses and care—covering monofilament, fluorocarbon, braided lines, and environmental considerations.

Fishing reel: function, types, history and practical use Fishing reel A fishing reel is a mechanical device attached to a rod that stores, releases and retrieves line. This article explains parts, common reel types, history, uses, maintenance and not…

Fishplate (rail splice bar) Fishplate A fishplate, also called a splice bar or joint bar, is a metal bar bolted to rail ends to align, strengthen and (often) conduct electricity across a rail joint.

Flaming Gorge Dam Concrete-arch dam on the Green River in northeastern Utah, built 1958–1964 for water storage, hydroelectric power and recreation; forms the long Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

Flip-flop (electronics): bistable circuits for digital storage Flip-flop (electronics) Flip-flops are bistable electronic circuits used to store one bit of binary information. This article explains types, operation, timing, history, applications, and distinctions fro…

Flood control: methods, history, and challenges Flood control Overview of flood control—structural and non‑structural methods, historical development, uses and limitations, and contemporary challenges such as environmental trade‑offs and clim…

Floodlights: Types, Uses, Installation, and Environmental Considerations Floodlight Overview of floodlights: types (LED, HID, halogen), uses in sports, security, architecture and work sites, plus guidance on installation, maintenance, controls and environmental im…

Fluid coupling (hydraulic coupling or fluid flywheel) Fluid coupling A fluid coupling is a hydrodynamic device that transmits rotational power through a working fluid. It provides smooth, wear-free engagement but does not multiply torque and usually…

Flying disc A flying disc is a round, aerodynamically profiled toy or sports implement. This article covers its design, flight, history, main uses in sport and recreation, and distinctions lik…

Foot (unit) The foot is an imperial and U.S. customary unit of length equal to 12 inches or 0.3048 metres, widely used for everyday measures, aviation altitudes, and building dimensions.

For loop (programming construct) For loop A for loop is a programming control structure for executing a block of code repeatedly under a controlled sequence of iterations. This article covers structure, variants, history,…

Fork (software development) A fork is a divergent copy of a software project that develops independently. This article explains what forks are, types, legal and licensing issues, history, uses, and practical…

Forth Bridge (rail bridge over the Firth of Forth) Forth Rail Bridge A major late‑19th‑century cantilever railway bridge in Scotland, the Forth Bridge is an engineering landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site carrying trains across the Firth of Fort…

Foundation (engineering) A foundation is the engineered substructure that transfers building loads into the ground. This article explains types, materials, design factors, construction steps, common proble…

Foundry: Metal Casting Plants, Processes and Applications Foundry A foundry is a workshop or factory where molten metal is cast into shapes. This article explains how foundries work, common methods, history, uses, environmental concerns and diffe…

Four-stroke engine A type of internal combustion engine whose cycle uses four piston strokes—intake, compression, power and exhaust—commonly used in cars, motorcycles, generators and many machines.

Fowler Ridge Wind Farm Large onshore wind energy project near Fowler in Benton County, Indiana. Built in two phases, it has a 600 MW capacity and is known for its regional scale, agricultural co‑location…

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking): method, history, uses, and impacts Fracking Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique that creates fractures in rock to release oil and natural gas from low‑permeability formations such as shale; it has transformed e…

Frequency response How a system's output varies with input frequency: definitions, plots, measurements, audio examples, filters and key indicators such as magnitude, phase, bandwidth and group delay.

Funnel A funnel is a cone-shaped device with a wide mouth and narrow outlet used to guide liquids or fine solids into containers; the term also refers to ship or locomotive smokestacks an…

Furnace: Heating Device — Types, Components, History, and Uses Furnace Overview of furnaces: definitions, core parts, historical development, common types, and applications in homes and industry.

Fuse (electrical) — overcurrent protection device Fuse A fuse is a sacrificial electrical safety device that interrupts current when it exceeds a safe level. This article explains how fuses work, common types, uses, selection and safet…

Gantt chart A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart used in project management to display task schedules, durations, dependencies and progress. It helps plan, coordinate, and communicate proje…

Gas compressor: function, types, and applications Gas compressor A gas compressor raises the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume. This article explains how compressors work, major types, common uses, differences from pumps, and safety/maint…