What is Wheel: Definition and 865 Discussions

In its primitive form, a wheel is a circular block of a hard and durable material at whose center has been bored a hole through which is placed an axle bearing about which the wheel rotates when torque is applied to the wheel about its axis. The wheel and axle assembly can be considered one of the six simple machines. When placed vertically under a load-bearing platform or case, the wheel turning on the horizontal axle makes it possible to transport heavy loads. This arrangement is the main topic of this article, but there are many other applications of a wheel addressed in the corresponding articles: when placed horizontally, the wheel turning on its vertical axle provides the spinning motion used to shape materials (e.g. a potter's wheel); when mounted on a column connected to a rudder or to the steering mechanism of a wheeled vehicle, it can be used to control the direction of a vessel or vehicle (e.g. a ship's wheel or steering wheel); when connected to a crank or engine, a wheel can store, release, or transmit energy (e.g. the flywheel). A wheel and axle with force applied to create torque at one radius can translate this to a different force at a different radius, also with a different linear velocity.

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  1. R

    Angular velocity, coin on spinning wheel

    Homework Statement A 5.10 coin is placed 16.0 from the center of a turntable. The coin has static and kinetic coefficients of friction with the turntable surface of = 0.810 and = 0.510. What is the maximum angular velocity with which the turntable can spin without the coin sliding...
  2. M

    Determining the direction of rotation of a wheel

    Homework Statement Hello All. I am trying to design a system to determine the direction of rotation of a wheel. I do not have access to a flywheel but only the wheels inner face. Can anyone please recommend a sesnor or soultion to help me? Many thanks Homework Equations The...
  3. P

    Factors affecting the design of an efficient paddle wheel

    I'm a student undertaking a challenging physics project. My project is based on the Factors affecting design of an efficient paddle wheel. Until now the factors i could think about are: -Number of paddles -Size and shape of paddles -Rotation speed of paddles Since my object of study is...
  4. DaveC426913

    Why do big rigs have front wheel rims that stick out while other rims stick in?

    Why do rigs have their front wheel rims sticking out while other rims stick in? http://www.discountramps.com/truck-wheel-risers-1.jpg My first theory was that it allowed them to use a common axle length for all axles on a rig but subsequent observation reveals that that's not the truth...
  5. P

    What time does the grinding wheel stop spinning? (constant ang. accel.)

    Homework Statement At t=0, a grinding wheel has omega=24.0rad/s, alpha=30.0rad/s^2 until a circuit breaker trips at t=2s. From then on it turns through 432rad as it coasts to a stop at constant alpha. a) through what total angle did the wheel turn between t=0 and the time it stopped? b) what...
  6. S

    Time it takes for the wheel to stop?

    A 34-cm-diameter potter's wheel with a mass of 20 kg is spinning at 180 rpm. Using her hands, a potter forms a pot, centered on the wheel, with a 14 cm diameter. Her hands apply a net friction force of 1.3 N to the edge of the pot. If the power goes out, so that the wheel's motor no longer...
  7. W

    Wheel torque > contact patch friction > torque

    Am I correct in saying that when a torque is applied to a wheel the force is resisted by the friction at the contact patch and then becomes a "equal and opposite" torque acting around the contact patch?
  8. U

    Finding the Angle: Solving Trig Problems on the Ferris Wheel

    I have this question in my trig/pre cal class and I have no idea how to approach it what so ever. In 1893, George Ferris engineered the Ferris Wheel. It was 250 feet in diameter. If the wheel makes 1 revolution every 50 seconds, then h(t) = 125sin (pi/25t - pi/2) + 125 represents the...
  9. U

    Calculating Heights on the Ferris Wheel

    In 1893, George Ferris engineered the Ferris Wheel. It was 250 feet in diameter. If the wheel makes 1 revolution every 50 seconds, then h(t) = 125sin (pi/25t - pi/2) + 125 represents the height (h), in feet, of a seat on the wheel as a function of time (t), where t is measured in seconds...
  10. O

    How many revolutions per second does a bike wheel make?

    Homework Statement If the radius of the wheel on a bike is .25m, and has a velocity of 10m/s, how many revolutions does the wheel make each second?Homework Equations 2πr/rev The Attempt at a SolutionI solved this problem in terms of pi. First each rev moves the wheel 2πr which is 2π(1/4)=1/2π...
  11. C

    How Much Force is Needed to Stop a Grinding Wheel in 20 Seconds?

    1. A piece of metal is pressed against the rim of a 2.8- kg, 20- cm-diameter grinding wheel that is turning at 2000 rpm. The metal has a coefficient of friction of 0.75 with respect to the wheel. When the motor is cut off, with how much force must you press to stop the wheel in 20.0 s? 2...
  12. D

    Disagreement: Who is Right About Rolling Wheel Forces?

    I am in a disagreement with someone on another forum. There is wheel with a freewheeling hub constrained to roll on a particular surface by applying force to the hub in the horizontal x direction. This person claims the tangential force applied to a wheel from the surface will also act on the...
  13. G

    How would weight distribution affect wheel performance on a vehicle?

    I am trying to find the answer to the below question if anyone could please help: How would the wheel on a vehicle react if the weight distribution was altered - ie, if one spoke was larger and therefore heavier than the rest? What would the likely implications be?
  14. C

    Questioning the Forces Involved in Automobile Wheels

    I am trying to understand all of the forces involved in a vehicles wheel, The weight of the auto on the wheel downward would be radial load, and the force 90 degrees from that would be the thrust load directly perpindicular with the wheel. What I learned is that there is an equal reacting force...
  15. R

    How does buoyancy cause this wheel to spin?

    Hi all, In the attached image I have a cylinder shaped wheel with a air pocket embedded near its edge. The wheel has the same density as water and is fully submerged in a tank of water. Also the wheel is only free to spin about its center axis. If the wheel is rotated down the air pocket will...
  16. T

    Which wheel moves faster: the smaller or larger one?

    OK. Our department at college has a question... none of us are science teachers. A tractor and cart, all with different sized wheels, which travels fastest? The answers are available are for any of the wheels ( smallest to biggest) or for all being the same? My argument is, if the...
  17. C

    Angular Momentum - Train Placed on a Wheel

    I've been trying this problem for a while now and can't seem to get the given answer. I know I'm probably making an elementary mistake somewhere but I can't find it. Homework Statement A track is mounted on a large wheel that is free to turn with negligible friction about a vertical axis. A...
  18. E

    Rotation- is axle or wheel rotating?

    What determines if something is rotating? For example, if we have a spaceship with a fake gravity rotation thing, how do we know if the outer ring is rotating or if it is stationary and the inner axle is spinning? Normally we could just say its all relative, etc, but weather or not you feel...
  19. G

    Why Does a Car Wheel Spin Backwards at High Speed?

    I'm sure this is a dumb question, hence why I ask people of da netz. So, when a car wheel spins slow/medium speed, you can see it make revolutions. But then it goes faster, you cannot see it make individual rotations. Duh. I get that...but why does it appear to spin slowly BACKWARDS? I...
  20. C

    Work associated with different wheel sizes on bicycles

    Hello, I'm wondering if someone can help with a little question I have regarding bicycle wheel size and the work associated with keeping it moving. I'm trying to understand how changing the wheel size (effective circumfrance) from 26" to 29" may impact the ammont of effort required by a bicycle...
  21. J

    Constant angular acceleration of a rotating wheel

    A rotating wheel requires 4.7 s to rotate through 33.5 rev. Its angular speed at the end of the 4.7 s interval is 45.5 rad/s. What is its constant angular acceleration? Assume the angular acceleration has the same sign as the angular velocity. Answer in units of rad/s2...
  22. J

    Dynamics of a Rolling Wheel on a Sliding Platform

    Hi, I have a problem that I am working on and I am running into some questions. The question states (the image is attached): This system consists of the disk D and the bar B that is welded at point Q. The other end of this bar is fixed at point O. Assume that the disk rolls on the thin...
  23. C

    Angular Simple Harmonic Motion of Wheel

    Homework Statement The balance wheel of an old fashioned watch oscillates with an angular amplitude π rad and period of 0.500 s. Find the maximum angular speed of the wheel. Homework Equations There are a lot of equations in this chapter and I don't even know where to start :confused...
  24. N

    Stopping a potter's wheel with a wet rag (angular momentum and friction)

    Homework Statement A potter's wheel having a radius 0.55 m and a moment of inertia 11.6 kg·m2 is rotating freely at 55 rev/min. The potter can stop the wheel in 8.0 s by pressing a wet rag against the rim and exerting a radially inward force of 66 N. Find the effective coefficient of kinetic...
  25. Amith2006

    Why does a bicycle wheel precess when suspended from a string?

    Almost everything is clear to me as far as the reason for the precession of a bicycle wheel suspended by a string from a rigid support is concerned. But I don't understand one thing about it. There are 2 forces acting on the system- one is the downward force of gravity at the center of mass of...
  26. X

    Mass on a Wheel: Solve for Displacement After 100ms

    Homework Statement All masses and radiuses given. (lets say 1m and 1kg for all) A vertical wheel is free to spin without friction. Mass placed at the edge of the wheel (ie level with the centre) and is released, causing it to accelerate due to torque: O'question asks what the vertical...
  27. M

    Power - Ferris Wheel with friction

    Homework Statement A motor keep a Ferris wheel (with moment of inertia 8.95X10^7 kg X m^2)rotating at 6.3 rev/hr. When the motor is turned off, the wheel slow down (because of friction) to 3.5 rev/hr in 25 s. What was the power of the motor that kept the wheel rotating at 6.3 rev/hr despite...
  28. B

    Calculating Power of Ferris Wheel Motor Despite Friction

    Homework Statement A motor keep a Ferris wheel (with moment of inertia 6.22 × 107 kg · m2) rotating at 14 rev/hr. When the motor is turned off, the wheel slows down (because of friction) to 9.3 rev/hr in 28 s. What was the power of the motor that kept the wheel rotating at 14 rev/hr despite...
  29. B

    How Do You Calculate Angular Acceleration of a Wheel?

    Homework Statement A 70cm diameter wheels accelerates uniformly from 160 rpm to 280 rpm in 4.00s. Determine: a) it's angular acceleration, and b) the radial and tangential components of the linear acceleration of a point on the edge of the wheel 2.00s after it has started accelerating...
  30. Q

    Calculating Moment of Inertia for a Soldered Wire Wheel

    The problem statement A stiff uniform wire of mass M0 and length L0 is cut, bent, and the parts soldered together so that it forms a circular wheel having four identical spokes coming out from the center. None of the wire is wasted, and you can neglect the mass of the solder. What is the moment...
  31. F

    Ferris wheel Rotational Kinematics Question

    Homework Statement The given information is: A Ferris wheel with a radius of 9.0 m rotates at a constant rate, completing one revolution every 37 s. Suppose the Ferris wheel begins to decelerate at the rate of 0.22 rad/s^2 when the passenger is at the top of the wheel. (1) Find the...
  32. C

    Force of Gravity on a Man on a Ferris Wheel

    Homework Statement A man sitting on the edge of his seat on a Ferris Wheel has a mass of 50.0 kg. The Ferris Wheel has a radius r=30m and the ferris wheel completes a single revolution every 20 seconds. Find the force between the man and the chair. Homework Equations FNET=ma...
  33. C

    Wheel Rotation: Force, Mass, Radius, Acceleration

    Homework Statement A constant horizontal force Fapp of magnitude 10N is applied to a wheel of mass 10kg and radius .3m. The wheel rolls smoothly on the horizontal surface, and the acceleration of its center of mass has magnitude .6 m/s2 (a) In unit-vector notation, what is the frictional force...
  34. E

    What is the final section the spinning wheel stops on at a county fair game?

    1. At a county fair there is a betting game that involves a spinning wheel. As the drawing shows, the wheel is set into rotational motion with the beginning of the angular section labeled "1" at the marker at the top of the wheel. The wheel then decelerates and eventually comes to a halt on one...
  35. E

    Rotational Kinetic Energy of Moving Wheel

    Homework Statement A bicycle has wheels of radius 0.25 m. Each wheel has a rotational inertia of 0.096 kg* m2 about its axle. The total mass of the bicycle including the wheels and the rider is 79 kg. When coasting at constant speed, what fraction of the total kinetic energy of the bicycle...
  36. R

    Determine Speed of Block A with Fixed Winch Wheel

    in Fig., the winch cable windings T is the constant rate of 1.5m / s. if the block on which is mounted the wheel is fixed, determine the speed of block A. http://s3.amazonaws.com/answer-board-image/2010321836426340315180237062507416.jpg
  37. H

    How fast will the pebble be travelling with respect to the center of the wheel

    Homework Statement A 24.6 g pebble is stuck in the thread of a 28.7 in tire. If the tire can exert an inward radial friction force of up to 19.3 N on the pebble, how fast will the pebble be traveling with respect to the center of the wheel when it flies out tangentiall? Homework Equations...
  38. M

    Apparent weight - ferris wheel

    Homework Statement So if a person's apparent weight at the top of a ferris wheel is 0N find the time it takes the ferris wheel to make on rotation. Then find the apparent weight of a person at the bottom of the ferris wheel for the same person on the same ferris wheel?Homework Equations...
  39. N

    How Do You Calculate the Rotation Rate of a Space Station Wheel?

    Homework Statement Basically the problem is asking me to find the rate of rotation of a space station that is in the shape of a wheel 120m in diameter, and rotates to provide an "artificial gravity" of 3.00 m/s. And it has to be in rev/min. Homework Equations The only equation so...
  40. B

    Where do the spokes appear unblurred in a photograph of a rolling wheel?

    Homework Statement A wheel with spokes rolls without slipping on the ground. You take a picture with a stationary camera from the side of the wheel. Because the wheel is moving and the camera has a nonzero exposure time, the spokes are usually blurred. At what points in the picture do the...
  41. H

    Solving the Cart Wheel Problem: Find Min. Tyre Diameter & Temp.

    Homework Statement This is from Strength of Materials. A cart wheel of diameter 1.2m is to be provided with a thin steel tyre. Assuming the wheel to be rigid and if the stress in steel is not to exceed 140 MPa, find the minimum diameter of the tyre and the minimum temperature to which it...
  42. Y

    Escape velocity of a spoked wheel.

    Consider a spoked wheel of radius r. The instantaneous tangential velocity of a point on the rim is v. A test particle in the form of a small bead that can freely slide along a spoke when released, is placed as close to the axis as possible so that for the sake of argument its radial...
  43. R

    How can I predict the motion of an axle in contact with a wheel?

    I was trying to figure out the motion of an axle in simple dry contact with the inner race of a wheel (see attachment). Even with simplifying assumptions there seemed to be no solution with steady motion except for very special cases (a particular location of the axle in the wheel hole and a...
  44. M

    Ferris wheel acceleration physics

    Homework Statement A mischievous young man riding a ferris wheel decides to release a beanbag as he passes the top point in the ride. The ferris wheel has a radius of 3.39 m and goes around once every 0.95 minutes (or 57 seconds if converted). The bottom of the wheel is 1.03 m off the ground...
  45. M

    Wheel is spun clockwise in magnetic field

    A wheel is spun clockwise in a vertical plane at a constant rate. At the place where the experiment is performed, the Earth’s magnetic field is in a horizontal direction. It acts into and perpendicular to the paper. The rim is the outside of the wheel, and the hub is the centre. A constant...
  46. K

    Calculating Speed of a Point on a Rolling Wheel

    Homework Statement A 60cm diameter wheel is rolling along at 20m/s. What is the speed of a point at the front edge of the wheel? Diameter - .6m Velocity - 20m/s Answer - 28m/s Homework Equations v = r(omega) Pythagorean theorem The Attempt at a Solution I tried to get...
  47. O

    Small wheel folding bike, which rc engine best for lightweight n performance ?

    I got a small 16inch folding bike weight 13kgs and managed to shed it down to 9kg and working in weight reduction further... eg using hollow shaft at the peddle and using clips at the axles and replacing to 14inch rims and redoing the frame in lighter stainless 201 - these are my next to-do...
  48. T

    Ferris wheel problem - vertical circles and centripetal acceleration

    Homework Statement Given a Ferris wheel that rotates 5 times each minute and has a diameter of 19 m, with the acceleration of gravity as 9.8 m/s^2, what is the centripetal acceleration of a rider? Answer in units of m/s^2. (There's a diagram that shows a ferris wheel with radius 9.5 m spinning...
  49. C

    Vertical Circular Motion of a giant wheel

    1. A giant wheel, 40 meters in diameter, is fitted with a cage and platform on which a man can stand. The wheel rotates at such a speed that when the cage is at the top of the wheel, then the force exerted by the man on the platform is equal to his weight. The speed of the man is: 2. T + mg...
  50. J

    Describe the cycloid described by a wheel rolling inside a circle

    I'm trying to describe the cycloid described by a wheel rolling inside a circle: The (rotor)vector attached to the center of the rolling wheel is described by this equation: r = r cos(w t)e(x') + r sin(w t)e(y') w is the angular velocity of the wheel, e(x') and e(y') are the unit vectors and t...
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