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Physics

How is a wheel and axle used as both a force and speed multiplier?

Machines

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Answer

A wheel and axle arrangement consists of a wheel attached to a cylindrical rod or shaft called the axle. The wheel and the axle must move together to form a simple machine in which the effort applied to the wheel helps in turning the axle and vice versa.

It is used in two ways :

  • Force Multiplier : On turning the large wheel the axle moves with more force. In this way one can turn heavy objects by spinning a wheel attached to an axle which in turn is connected to the heavy object. That's how a steering wheel works in a car.

  • Speed Multiplier : When the axle is turned, the wheel turns really fast so that it covers a larger distance with greater speed like in the tyres of a car and bus.

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