Back
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

gear

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

A gear is a rotating machine element with teeth along the outer periphery. Meshing gears transmit rotary motion and torque between two shafts. The teeth on gears are designed to engage with each other so that they can transmit power smoothly and efficiently.

The size and shape of the teeth on a gear determine its gear ratio. The gear ratio is the number of times one gear turns for every turn of the other gear. For example, if one gear has 10 teeth and the other gear has 20 teeth, the gear ratio is 2:1. This means that the first gear will turn twice for every turn of the second gear.

The gear ratio can be used to change the speed or direction of rotation. For example, if you want to make a machine go faster, you can use a gear with a higher gear ratio. If you want to make a machine go in the opposite direction, you can use a gear with a lower gear ratio.

Gears are used in many different machines, such as bicycles, cars, and clocks. They are also used in many industrial machines, such as power plants and factories.

The study of gears and their applications is called gear theory. Gear theory is a branch of mechanical engineering that deals with the design, analysis, and manufacturing of gears.

How can the word be used?

A mechanism for transmitting power.

gear

Different forms of the word

Noun: gear, gears.

Verb: gear, gearing, geared.

Adjective: geared.

Etymology

The word "gear" comes from the Old English word "gearwe", which meant "equipment" or "gear". The Old English word "gearwe" is thought to be related to the Old Norse word "gǫrr", which also meant "equipment" or "gear".

Question

How do gears help and why?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question: How do gears work?

Answer:

Gears are a mechanism for transmitting power. They work by interlocking wheels or cogs that have different numbers of teeth. When one gear turns, it causes the other gear to turn. The amount of power that is transmitted depends on the size of the gears and the number of teeth that they have.

There are two main types of gears:

  • Spur gears: Spur gears are the simplest type of gear. They have straight teeth that are parallel to the axis of rotation.
  • Helical gears: Helical gears have teeth that are angled. This makes them more efficient than spur gears, but they are also more complex to manufacture.

Gears are used in a variety of machines, including:

  • Cars: Cars use gears to transmit power from the engine to the wheels.
  • Bikes: Bikes use gears to make it easier to pedal uphill.
  • Machine tools: Machine tools use gears to control the speed and power of the cutting tools.
  • Clocks: Clocks use gears to keep time.
  • Gears are a versatile mechanism that can be used to transmit power in a variety of ways. They are an essential part of many machines and devices.

Here are some additional details about how gears work:

  • The size of the gears: The size of the gears affects the amount of power that is transmitted. The larger the gear, the more power it can transmit.
  • The number of teeth: The number of teeth on the gears also affects the amount of power that is transmitted. The more teeth that a gear has, the more power it can transmit.
  • The angle of the teeth: The angle of the teeth on helical gears affects the efficiency of the gears. The more angled the teeth, the more efficient the gears are.

Gears are a complex and fascinating mechanism that is essential for many machines and devices. They are a versatile and efficient way to transmit power.