Which scenario describes the relationship between a failure effect and a failure cause?

The scenario that describes the relationship between a failure effect and a failure cause accurately is where the failure cause results in a significant adverse effect. In this instance, the fuel leaking contaminates a river serves as a clear example of a failure cause (the fuel leakage) leading directly to a negative outcome (the contamination of the river).

In reliability engineering, understanding the distinction between a cause and an effect is crucial. The failure cause (in this case, the leakage of fuel) is the initial issue that triggers a cascade of events, while the failure effect is the result of that cause, illustrated here by the environmental impact of river contamination.

The other scenarios depict situations that may illustrate a cause-and-effect relationship, but they do not encapsulate the broader implications associated with the relationship as effectively. For example, low oil levels leading to engine overheating indicate a failure cause leading to a specific failure effect, but it does not carry the same environmental or systemic significance as contamination does. Understanding these relationships is vital for effective reliability engineering and for developing strategies to mitigate negative outcomes.