ORDINARY GEAR TRAIN 2 MECHANISM

OVERVIEW

The size of gears involved in gear trains can have a significant impact on the force and motion on the output shaft.

COMPONENTS

The gear that is on the input shaft is known as the drive gear. The final gear that is on the output shaft is known as the driven gear.

In ordinary gear trains, all middle gears are idler gears.

TASK

Build a two-gear gear train with one gear being a different size than the other. Try turning the input shaft.

Now place the turning handle on the output shaft and try turning that one. How are the two different?

Show your teacher.

QUESTIONS

Is it easier to turn the input shaft when it has a larger gear on it or a smaller gear on it? Why do you think this is?