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gear wheel

Also known as: cogwheel

Quick Summary

A gear wheel, also known as a cogwheel, is a toothed wheel that is part of a gear system. Gears are machine components that transmit and modify rotary motion and torque (turning force) without slipping. The teeth of one gear engage with the teeth of another, allowing for controlled power transfer.

When two gears mesh, their speed and torque ratios are constant if their teeth are arranged on circles. If the smaller gear (pinion) is driving, it reduces speed and increases torque. Conversely, if the pinion is driven, it increases speed and reduces torque. Gears can connect shafts that are parallel, intersecting, or nonparallel and nonintersecting, with different gear types like spur, helical, and bevel gears designed for each configuration. Gears have been used for centuries, notably in waterwheels and mills, to harness and transfer power efficiently.12345

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5 Britannica Sources
  1. cogwheel
  2. gear
  3. axle
  4. waterwheel
  5. gearwheel

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