What is Wheel: Definition and 863 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. F

    Rotational Motion of a wheel turning

    Homework Statement A wheel starting from rest accelerates at 1.2 rad/s² counterclockwise. A) How long does it take to turn through 60 revolutions? B)What is the rotational speed at that time? 2. The attempt at a solution I converted 1.2rad/s² to 1.885 rev/s² by dividing by 2πrad (2...
  2. T

    Solving a Wheel on Step Question - Torque Calculation and Solution Attempt

    Homework Statement Question is here. http://i.imgur.com/WOy0w.png Homework Equations Torque=FR The Attempt at a Solution 1) 1)I thought it is radius. But radius is not one of the option 2)I thought this is radius too. 3)Not sure about this question,maybe get torque get...
  3. T

    Solving Wheel & Mass Problem - Brandon Seeking Help

    Hi folks, In a tutorial I was given this problem on which I've been trying to solve these last 2 day with non luck. The Problem is attached with a diagram. I tried to take the torque as being T=mg-mR\alpha^{2} but it was all in vein. Any help would be much appreciated Thanks...
  4. B

    Rotating wheel with kinetic friction

    Hi, The problem attached is a kinetic problem. problem # 50. This is from belts friction that this question is from. All my other problems have dealt with static, and now with kinetic, I am stuck on what to do. There is no impending motion that I know. Would I take the rope with the 45...
  5. F

    The Energy Expended by a turning wheel

    ok, so i am not exactly sure how to do the math required to figure this out, and you can make fun of me if you wish, but what is the energy expended by a turning wheel of a car, and could that energy be harnessed and stored, all while driving down the road?
  6. F

    Heading as a function of wheel rotations

    Hello, I have a three robots which consists of two motorized wheels and a skid wheel. The two motorized wheels are on the front of the robot. I am trying to find the change in heading of the robot based on the previous state. I have found out that ΔHeading = [(ΔDL-ΔDR)*radius of...
  7. C

    Circular Motion Forces Exerted On Ferris Wheel

    Homework Statement A man of 80.0 kg is standing in the cabin of a Ferris wheel of radius 30.0 m rotating at 1.0 rpm. What are the forces that the feet of the man exert on the floor of the cabin when he reaches the highest point and the lowest point? Homework Equations Newton's Second...
  8. S

    Rotation and Translation - wheel

    Homework Statement An exhausted bicyclist pedals somewhat erratically. The angular velocity of the front tire, as measured with respect to an axis fixed at the tire’s center, is given by omega (t)= (1/2)t - (1/4)sin (2t) for t >= 0 where t represents the time in seconds and omega (t) is...
  9. I

    Force required to move a 6 wheel cart

    I am currently working on an idea of mine and have an issue. I have a car with 6 wheels on it with an estimated weight of 400 Lbs. It will be using 8" pneumatic tires and would like to calculate the how much toque in need in the motor to drive it. I plan on it going no faster than about 1 Foot...
  10. Simfish

    Reinventing the wheel - how often does it happen in research?

    So basically, for LSST research, a LSST project scientist told me to work on Python code that could project the sky onto a 2D grid, which is what I did. It was awfully hard to find code (especially Python-based code) that could project the sky on a 2D grid - so the task he gave me was necessary...
  11. M

    Propulsion mechanism of a ferris wheel

    How does a the propulsion mechanism of a ferris wheel propel the ride? A diagram would be helpful
  12. J

    Max wheel size according to torque

    Hi, I'm researching into what will be the best size wheels to put onto a motor to allow my robot to climb an incline, and then possibly find out what is the maximum incline it can reach. I'm using this thread as a source for the math...
  13. S

    Wheel Diameter vs Time: Does Size Matter?

    I am not a physics student however I have a random and hopefully SIMPLE question about wheel diameter over time and distance Basically take a toy car. A Hotwheel 1/64 scale car for example and run a Pine Derby type of event. If a car was released down a slope from height of 5ft, slope 10...
  14. K

    Orb with spoked wheel and face

    Taken in warehouse at work. 3 witnesses that nothing was planted. Three photographs were taken from same angle same position and this showed up in one out of three. A digital camera was used with a flash. If you use Microsoft Office Picture Manager to open up 383.jpg, you can zoom in on the...
  15. 1

    Finding Force to Accelerate a Wheel Cart for Bending Moment Calculation

    I am having trouble trying to find the force required to accelerate a wheeled cart. so that i can calculate the bending moment in a stopping bracket, the bit I am stuck on is The Acceleration of the cart, the situation is; An 80,000Kg Wheeled cart runs on rails from rest and hits a stop...
  16. C

    Force of wheel Perependicular to road over speed hump

    Im curently trying to work out the upwards force of the wheel of a car as it passes over a hump in the road. I have drawn a very simple diagram to illustrate this. If anyone could help me calculate this force that would be most helpful. I understand as the wheel is traveling along the road...
  17. R

    Disk brakes along the rim of the wheel?

    Disk brakes along the rim of the wheel?? Hi friends, I have a doubt. I heard that when we keep the disc brake along the rim of the wheel, less energy is required to stop the wheel. Why is it so?? Why is it not used in today's bikes?:confused:
  18. C

    What is the best place to put your hands on a steering wheel?

    Does a certain position let you exert more torque on the steering wheel? I've heard 10 and 2 o'clock. I've also heard 9 and 3 o'clock. Is it possible to explain with physics why two hands placed right next to each other would not be as effective as two hands spaced further apart? I...
  19. Z

    Induced EMF in a spinning wheel

    Faraday's law says that an induced voltage across a conductor is directly proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux through the conductor, but I am having trouble getting my head round how it works in this situation. Imagine a perfectly circular thin copper disc, and that this disc...
  20. M

    What is the angular velocity of the nail in a car tire at 55 mi/hr?

    Homework Statement Car runs at 55 mi/hr. and the nail is lodged in tire 13 in from center of wheel, then what is the angular velocity of the nail in rad/hour? Homework Equations w= v/r The Attempt at a Solution First I will convert 55 miles into inches. 55 mile * 5280 FT/mile *...
  21. B

    Ferris Wheel w/ constant angular velocity, girl throws ball and catches it.

    [PLAIN]http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8969/ferriswheelmd.jpg This is giving me a lot of problems, and honestly, I'm not sure on how to get started. Any guidance is appreciated! Thanks!
  22. R

    Calculating Work done with Archimedes' Wheel for 6-9 Year Olds

    I am going to be doing a demonstration of Archimedes' wheel for some 6-9 year-old students and would like to try to figure out the work done by the wheel to lift 10 liters of water 1m vs the lifting of a 10 liter pale the same height. Anyone know of a way to easily figure the work done in...
  23. E

    Rolling Wheel Paradox: Is it True or a Model Problem?

    Hi, I'm trying to model a wheel that is placed on top of a moving platform. The problem is that I'm running into a situation that seems very counter intuitive. I'm not sure if its a problem with my model or not. I've attached a picture that demonstrates the problem. To begin, neither the...
  24. A

    Spinning Bycle wheel on string (precession)

    Trying to analyze all the dynamics of gyroscopic type motion. Assume the Z axis is vertical (which the wheel precesses about) Have a spinning bicyle wheel, that is held up via string on one end, the biycle wheel begins to precess about the vertical axes via torque induced from gravity...
  25. N

    Distance traveled by wheel with varying diameter and weight

    First off, please excuse my general lack of physics knowledge, it's been 10 yrs since one year of it in high school ... but I can usually follow along pretty well once pointed in the right direction. I've been curious about the relationship of wheel weight and diameter in relation to distance...
  26. C

    Brake Disc Design- Torque Acting On Wheel Stud Bolts

    Brake Disc Design- Torque Acting On Wheel Stud Bolts I have currently been working on designing a brake disc assembly. The current problem i am having is trying to workout the force acting on each wheel stud. The frictional force of the brake pad is 3.2 KN with an efective radius of...
  27. C

    Brake Disc Design- Torque Acting On Wheel Stud Bolts

    Homework Statement I have currently been working on a group project designing a brake disc assembly. The current problem i am having is trying to workout the force acting on each wheel stud. The frictional force of the brake pad is 3.2 KN with an efective radius of 105MM from the center...
  28. W

    How Does Angular Speed Affect Scale Readings on a Ferris Wheel?

    Homework Statement A woman of mass m rides in a Ferris wheel of radius R. In order to better understand physics, she takes along a bathroom scale and sits on it. Determine the difference in scale readings between the bottom and top of the Ferris wheel (“delta” F of scale) as a function of the...
  29. B

    Conservation of Angular Momentum of wheel

    1. You are walking holding on to the axle of a spinning bicycle wheel with one hand on either side of the wheel. The top part of the wheel is moving away from you and the bottom is moving toward you and the axle is horizontal. As you start to turn left, you feel the right side of the axle A...
  30. B

    Angular Momentum of Spinning Wheel System

    Homework Statement Two gerbils run in place with a linear speed of 0.55m/s on an exercise wheel that is shaped like a hoop. Find the angular momentum of the system if each gerbil has a mass of 0.22kg and the exercise wheel has a radius of 6.5cm and a mass of 5.0g. Homework Equations...
  31. A

    Solving Wheel and Forces Homework: Show Weight of Wheel is 180N

    Homework Statement Hi I am not sure about this question. Can anyone help? It states this way: A wheel of radius 0.5m rests on a level at a point C and makes contact with the edge E of a kerb of height 0.2m. A horizontal force of 240N, applied through the axle of the wheel at X, is...
  32. M

    Exploring Relativistic Spinning Wheels: Radius & Simultaneity Paradoxes

    Suppose you make a big horizontal wheel, put markings at equal distances on the edge and also on the floor just outside the wheel. Now let the wheel spin at relativistic speeds. If you are standing next to the wheel, the markings on the wheel will be closer together (because they are moving)...
  33. V

    Rotating wheel initial angular velocity given final and time

    Homework Statement A rotation wheel required 3.0 s to complete 37 revolutions. its angular speed at the end of the 3.0 s interval is 98 rad/s. what was the original angular speed of the wheel? Homework Equations average omega = change in angle/change in time The Attempt at a...
  34. E

    Calculating Torque for a Robot Wheel: Mass, Acceleration, and Constant Velocity

    Homework Statement You are given a robot, and you are asked to design the torque needed for the driving motor. What is the torque to turn a wheel who's mass of the system connected to the rim is 3kg, and the diameter of the rim is 0.0381m? What is the torque when the wheel accelerates at a...
  35. O

    What is the force experienced by a wheel hitting an edge at 1.5m/s?

    Homework Statement Wheel is hitting edge at a x-component speed of 1.5m/s, what is the force it is subjected to when going over the edge. The wheel is loaded with 200N Btw, the line with an 60 degree angle to to x-axis/ground is the tangent not a ramp. Homework Equations acceleration...
  36. M

    Impact force exerted on a rolling wheel drop from a height

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9964/impactforceonbike.png A roller is rolling with a constant speed before and after the drop. How do i figure out the impact force exerted on the wheel when it just touch the floor from a height h? Assume, angular velocity...
  37. N

    Rotational Inertia of a wheel

    Hi everyone, I'm having a little trouble trying to answer this problem. Here it is: A force of 22.04 N is applied tangentially to a wheel of radius 0.340 m and gives rise to an angular acceleration of 1.20 rad/s^2. Calculate the rotational inertia of the wheel. Okay so i attempted the...
  38. P

    Artificial gravity in a rotating wheel

    reading about circular motion has become very confusing for me thanks to the "centrifugal force". I have tried reading a lot of concepts presented on the internet but they haven't cleared away my doubts. In a rotating wheel, If there is no outward force acting on an object why does it remain in...
  39. R

    What is the Moment of Inertia for a Hollow Torus?

    I would like to know the formula for Moment of inertia for horizontal rotation of circular tube(i.e wheel) of mass 65kg, wheel dia=2m, tube dia=0.1m.
  40. B

    Spinning Bike Wheel Direction: Answer 2

    1. Homework Statement {Number 5 on attachment. It has picture.} When a spinning bike wheel is placed hor- izontally, hung from a pivot at one end, the axis of rotation of the wheel will swing in a horizontal circle. In which direction does it turn (as viewed from above)? 1...
  41. B

    Solving a Spinning Bike Wheel Homework Problem

    Homework Statement {Number 5 on attachment. It has picture.} When a spinning bike wheel is placed hor- izontally, hung from a pivot at one end, the axis of rotation of the wheel will swing in a horizontal circle. In which direction does it turn (as viewed from above)? 1. downward...
  42. L

    Comparing Wheel Speeds for Traction Control

    Hi, I am experimenting with traction controlling of wheels. I have to calculate the speed difference in two wheels (driven and non-driven). I am thinking of these options: 1. Generate pulse train using optical encoder -> binary counter -> D/A converter -> Take voltage difference using OP...
  43. T

    Moment of Inertia of a grinding wheel

    Homework Statement A grinding wheel is initially at rest. A constant external torque of 52.5 N· m is applied to the wheel for 18.4 s, giving the wheel an angular speed of 605 rev/min. The external torque is then removed, and the wheel comes to rest 101 s later. Find the moment of inertia of...
  44. I

    Position of a point on a turning wheel..

    Homework Statement A wheel 60 cm in diameter rotates with a constant angular acceleration of 4 rad/s^2. The wheel starts at rest at t=0, and a chalk line drawn to a point P on the rim of the hweel makes an angle of 57.3 ith the horizontal at this time. At t 2s, find (a) the angular speed of...
  45. P

    Circular Motion on a Ferris Wheel

    Homework Statement At a county fair, a boy and two friends bring their teddy bears on the giant Ferris wheel. The wheel has a diameter of 10.5 m, the bottom of the wheel is 1.7 m above the ground and its rim is moving at a speed of 1.0 m/s. The boys are seated in positions 45° from each...
  46. Spinnor

    Could the scroll wheel be smoothed out with software?

    When I read on a computer screen I like to use the scroll wheel on the mouse but when I do the text jumps and it is easy to loose my place when reading some text. Would it be hard to have a mouse control panel adjustment for the scroll wheel that could be set so as to allow the window to move up...
  47. C

    Optimize Conservation of Energy with Water Wheel

    A five gallon bucket of water is placed five feet above the ground. The initial diameter of the pipe leading from the bucket is six inches. Energy from the falling water is captured by a water wheel. Optimally, there should be a complete transfer of energy from the water to the water wheel...
  48. D

    How Does Temperature Affect the Angular Velocity of a Rotating Aluminum Wheel?

    Homework Statement A 28.4-kg solid aluminum cylindrical wheel of radius 0.41m is rotating about its axle in frictionless bearings with angular velocity w = 32.8 rad/s. If the temperature is then raised from 20.0 degrees celcius to 95.0 degrees celcuis, what is the fractional change in angular...
  49. 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...
  50. 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...
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