Gears spin faster relative to other gears in a system when they are smaller; a smaller gear will rotate more times than a larger gear in the same amount of time.
To further explain this: Imagine a simple gear system with a small gear and a large gear connected. Let's analyze how their speeds relate.
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Gear Size and Rotational Speed: A smaller gear needs to travel a shorter distance around its circumference to complete one full rotation compared to a larger gear.
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Revolutions Over Time: Therefore, the smaller gear makes more revolutions in a given time, rotating at a faster pace than the larger gear. This is because, as stated in the reference, when the smaller gear completes a full rotation, the larger gear hasn't.
This concept is critical in understanding how gears are used to either increase speed or increase torque (rotational force).
Here's a table summarizing the relationship:
| Gear Size | Rotational Speed | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller | Faster | Lower |
| Larger | Slower | Higher |
In summary, a gear spins faster by being smaller, allowing it to complete more rotations in the same amount of time compared to a larger gear connected to it.
