Introduction - Lesson 3
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What role do wheel and axle systems have in moving vehicles and devices?
When people say the words "wheel and axle", a car is usually the first thing that comes to mind. The wheel and axle is a very important part of a car, but we might easily overlook other important inventions such as the water wheel. The water wheel is an example of the best part of wheel and axle systems – the axle can be attached to just about anything to perform tasks or transfer power.
In the past before gasoline engines, electric motors, or coal-burning factories were invented to provide energy, water wheels were very important. In ancient times, water wheels were used to grind grain into flour, for example. That use of water wheels continued for hundreds of years, but as time went on they were used for other things as well, such as powering sawmills to make boards or looms to make cloth.
In the past before gasoline engines, electric motors, or coal-burning factories were invented to provide energy, water wheels were very important. In ancient times, water wheels were used to grind grain into flour, for example. That use of water wheels continued for hundreds of years, but as time went on they were used for other things as well, such as powering sawmills to make boards or looms to make cloth.
The axle of this water wheel is attached to gears, belts, other wheels and axles, and rollers to provide the power. Amazingly, it takes 3000 gallons of water to move this wheel.
Now, we have powerful engines to turn axles, so the sky is the limit when it comes to making vehicles and devices with wheels and axles. The largest self-powered land vehicles in the world, NASA's crawlers, make good use of wheels and axles.
Video
Watch this video: NASA Crawler Transporter
Now, we have powerful engines to turn axles, so the sky is the limit when it comes to making vehicles and devices with wheels and axles. The largest self-powered land vehicles in the world, NASA's crawlers, make good use of wheels and axles.
Video
Watch this video: NASA Crawler TransporterThe NASA Crawler-transporter is an incredible vehicle. It weighs more than 2.7 million kilograms and has the ability to transport whole rockets and space shuttles.
By modifying the wheel of a wheel and axle system, even more exciting possibilities are opened for moving vehicles and devices. For example, if you put a groove on the outer edge of the wheel, you build a pulley. A pulley is a wheel and axle that is made to support the movement of a cable or belt.
By using a rope with a pulley and axle, a pulley system is developed. The great thing about pulley systems is that long ropes or belts make it possible to do jobs far away from the where the effort force is applied. Another great thing about pulleys is that the direction of motion is changed easily by using more than one pulley.
Another excellent way to use wheels and axles is to put teeth on the wheel. A toothed wheel is a gear. Gears provide many opportunities for making devices that move because gears can be meshed together (their teeth touch and push each other) to make a gear system to increase, decrease, or change the direction of the spinning motion.
Another excellent way to use wheels and axles is to put teeth on the wheel. A toothed wheel is a gear. Gears provide many opportunities for making devices that move because gears can be meshed together (their teeth touch and push each other) to make a gear system to increase, decrease, or change the direction of the spinning motion.
Gears are great for making devices that move because they come in so
many shapes and sizes. Gear systems with chains are used in many
vehicles because the chains rarely slip or come off.
