In a simple gear pair, which gear tends to rotate slower?

Study for the Mechatronics End-of-Pathway (EOP) Test. Explore flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

In a simple gear pair, which gear tends to rotate slower?

Explanation:
When two gears mesh, the contact point moves at the same linear speed on both gears. That linear speed equals the angular velocity times the gear’s pitch radius. A gear with more teeth has a larger radius, so to keep the same contact speed, its angular velocity must be smaller. In other words, the gear with more teeth turns more slowly than the gear with fewer teeth. The smaller gear speeds up relative to the larger one, and they rotate in opposite directions.

When two gears mesh, the contact point moves at the same linear speed on both gears. That linear speed equals the angular velocity times the gear’s pitch radius. A gear with more teeth has a larger radius, so to keep the same contact speed, its angular velocity must be smaller. In other words, the gear with more teeth turns more slowly than the gear with fewer teeth. The smaller gear speeds up relative to the larger one, and they rotate in opposite directions.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy