Gear Ratios

How do gears work? How do the number of teeth affect the turns of a gear machine? A gear is a wheel with teeth that interlock with matching teeth on another gear. Gears are found in many machines from cars to CD players and bicycles because gears efficiently transmit rotating motion and can create mechanical advantage. In this investigation you will create machines with two and three gears. The goal is to find a formula which relates the number of teeth to the number of turns.

Grade Level: High School

Subject: Physics

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Featured Equipment

Simple Machines Engineering Kit

Includes gears, levers and pulleys to engage students in a wide range of physics, physical science and engineering concepts. Combine them to show how rotating machines work!

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Source Collection: Lab #12D