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.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. Z

    Uniform circular motion and Ferris wheel

    my teacher said my answer is wrong but i cannot figure out why there is a ferris wheel. a rider in the ferris wheel is 35kg. the radius of the ferris wheel is 12m. it asks what is the magnitude of the force does the seat exert on the rider when he is halfway between the top and the bottom...
  2. G01

    Speed of Point at Front Edge of 6.0cm Wheel Rolling at 20m/s

    A 6.0cm diameter wheel is rolling along at 20 m/s What is the speed of a point at the front edge of the wheel? Im kinda lost here. Tha answer given in the back of the book is 28.3 m/s. I have no idea how to do this problem, though I know i must be missing something simple. I found...
  3. C

    What is the Angle Turned by the Wheel of a Car During Acceleration?

    Alright, well, I tried and tried to solve this problem, but seemed to be getting no where. A car travels at 1.70 m/s. The driver accelerates and increases the speed to 10.7 m/s in 2.20 s. If the radius of its wheel is 0.590 m, calculate the angle turned by the wheel during this time.
  4. C

    What is the Angular Speed of a Car Wheel?

    A car wheel turns through 277 degrees in 10.7 s. Calculate the angular speed of the wheel. Well, i know the Angular Accelereartion is equal to the change in angular velocity divided by the time required to make that change. So should i first convert 277 degrees to radians?.. which is...
  5. S

    Angular acceleration of a wheel

    A wheel of radius 0.2m is mounted on a frictionless horizontal axis. The rotational inertia of the wheel about the axis is 0.05kg(m^2). A massless cord wrapped around the wheel is attached to a 2kg block that slides horizontally. If a horizontal force of magnitude P=3N is applied to the...
  6. J

    Angular Momentum of a wheel

    A wheel is rotating freely with an angular speed of 800 rev/min on a shaft whose rotational inertia is negligible. A second wheel, initially at rest and with twice the rotational inertia of the first, is suddenly coupled to the same shaft. What is the angular speed in rev/min of the resultant...
  7. siddharth

    The Mystery of Bicycle Wheel Sizes: Stability or Ease of Use?

    Why are Bicycle wheels the same size? Is it because it is easier to manufacture and maintain or does having same wheel sizes in the front and back offer added stability when compared to having a bigger wheel at the back (like the early models)?
  8. L

    F = Minimum Force Required to Lift Bicycle Wheel off Ground

    The figure shows a bicycle wheel resting against a small step whose height is h = 0.110 m. The weight and radius of the wheel are W = 29.0 N and r = 0.350 m. A horizontal force F is applied to the axle of the wheel. As the magnitude of F increases, there comes a time when the wheel just begins...
  9. T

    Need Help Calculating Wheel Radius for Kinetic Energy

    Hi, I'm having difficulty figuring out the radius for this problem, I need the radius in order to figure out the kinetic energy: A wheel has a thin 2.8 kg rim and four spokes each of mass 1.4 kg. Find the kinetic energy of the wheel when it rolls at 6 m/s on a horizontal surface. I know...
  10. C

    Calculate the net torque about the axle of the wheel

    This problem is due on my webassign homework in 3 hours and I can't get it right! Calculate the net torque about the axle of the wheel shown in Fig. 8-39. Assume that a friction torque of 0.43 mN opposes the motion and that F = 26. The picture is here...
  11. J

    Motorcycle Wheel of Death

    Motorcycle Wall of Death Some pointers would be greatly appreciated please. A motorcycle is slowing down, but maintaining its height on a 'wall of death' (a vertical cylinder where the motorcycle 'drives' around the inner circumference as a stunt). A spectator takes timings in...
  12. R

    Wheel in a cylinder problem

    wondering if someone could shed some light on this problem. a wheel of radius r rolls around the interior of a cylinder of radius R. assume that the center of the cylinder is at the origin and at time t=0, the point of tangency is at the point (R,0). let P denote the original point of...
  13. L

    Circular motion of a ferris wheel

    circular motion ferris wheel The Ferris wheel in the figure , which rotates counterclockwise, is just starting up. At a given instant, a passenger on the rim of the wheel and passing through the lowest point of his circular motion is moving at 3.00 m/s and is gaining speed at a rate of 0.500...
  14. Y

    Ferris Wheel Height Function: Diameter, Location, and Time Analysis

    The height (in metres) of a rider on a ferris wheel after t minutes can be described by the function y=67sin[(pi/15)x -30]+70 a) what is the diameter b) where is the rider at x=0? explain the significance c)how high off the ground is the rider at the top of the wheel? d) at what times will...
  15. B

    Kinetic energy of a rotating wheel?

    A simple wheel has the form of a solid cylinder of radius r with a mass m uniformly distributed throughout its volume. The wheel is pivoted on a stationary axle through the axis of the cylinder and rotates about the axle at a constant angular speed. The wheel rotates n full revolutions in a...
  16. B

    Designing the Perfect PS2 Steering Wheel & Pedal Chair

    I am doing a project in Design & Technology and intend to design a product that is to be used by Playstation 2 (or other consols) users. I have a few questions, which I would be very grateful for if I get a few replies: Do you have a Steering wheel and pedal that you use to play car games with...
  17. H

    Spinning wheel and light speed

    What if the center part of a bicycle wheel was spinning at almost the speed of light. What would keep the outside part of the rim from spinning faster than the speed of light?
  18. L

    Grinding Wheel Motion: Angular Velocity and Acceleration

    At time t=0 a grinding wheel has an angular velocity of 29.0 rad/s. It has a constant angular acceleration of 34.0 rad/s^2 until a circuit breaker trips at time t = 2.30 s. From then on, the wheel turns through an angle of 434 rad as it coasts to a stop at constant angular deceleration. now...
  19. N

    Calculating Normal Force for Student on Ferris Wheel

    Q. A chemistry student with a mass of 75 kg is riding a steadily moving Ferris wheel. When she is at the top of the Ferris wheel, the normal force from the seat on to her body has a magnitude of 556 N. Q. What would the normal force be on the student at the top of the wheel if the wheel's...
  20. M

    Wheel on a game show force problem

    A wheel on a game show is given an initial angular speed of 1.3 rad/s. It comes to rest after rotating through 3/4 of a turn. Find the average torque exerted on the wheel given that it is a disk of radius 0.80m and mass of 6.4 kg. I worked the matching problem in the book and got the...
  21. A

    How Does Torque Affect Angular Velocity in a Falling Block and Wheel System?

    Consider a bicycle wheel that initially is not rotating. A block of mass m is attached to the wheel and is allowed to fall a distance h. Assume that the wheel has a moment of inertia I about its rotation axis. Consider the case that the string tied to the block is attached to the outside of...
  22. P

    Bike Wheel Angular momentum problem

    A bike wheel, of mass 1.36 kg is placed at the end of a rod 0.530 m in length, which can pivot freely about the other end. The rod is of negligble mass. The wheel is turning rapidly such that it has an angular momentum of 10.8 kgm^2/s. At what angular speed does the wheel revolve horizontally...
  23. P

    Wheel Turning's Math: Angle & Displacement

    Hello, Due to my meager mechanical physics knowledge and my meager math talent, I am stuck on this matter: How are the angle of a vehicle turning related to its wheel's displacement. Let me elaborate: I have a 3 wheel vehicle. It relies on the 2 motors in the back to motivate it. Each...
  24. K

    Finding Velocity of Particle at Wheel Edge

    I know that because of the rolling constraint, V(cm)=R*w [w=omega]. Also, if I want to find the velocity of particle i, i can sum V(cm) and V(i, relative to the center of mass). But how do I determine V(i, rel)? For example, if I am given the speed and radius of a wheel, how fast is a point...
  25. P

    Centripetal acceleration and ferris wheel

    A Ferris wheel consits of a giant wheel that rotates slowly in a vertical plane. people sit upright in chairs ont he ferris wheel. The type of force that provies the centripetal acceleration for the people at the top of the wheel as it rotates is called: A.) gravity or B.) normal i'm...
  26. P

    What causes wheel to go in straight motion?

    Hi, What is the simple principle that governs cars with 3 wheels going forward? What are the specifications for the front wheel and the back 2 wheels? Do they have to have a specific ratio? Or something else? Please advice.
  27. T

    Angular Acceleration of game show wheel

    A wheel on a game show is given an initial angular speed of 1.22 rad/s. It comes to rest after rotating through 3/4 of a turn. Find the average torque exerted on the wheel given that it is a disk of radius 0.71m and a mass 6.4kg. I'm lost. I don't really know where to begin. I know the...
  28. M

    Skateboard Wheel Physics Help

    Hey all, I'm having a little trouble finding infomation on skateboard physics. More specifically, i need to find out the different physics concepts (ie. forces) that act on skateboards and their wheels. How does friction effect the performance of skateboards and how are skateboards designed...
  29. J

    Equation is to get the torque on a wheel

    Hello All, I was wondering what the equation is to get the torque on a wheel from a point (x,y) on the wheel, with an applied force vector on the point. I know I will need to use some combination of Sin or cosine, but I'm not sure how to set up the math for it. Any help would be appreciated...
  30. D

    Steering Wheel Angle & Radius of Curvature

    Is there a formula which relates the angle of a steering wheel from normal position (theta) and the radius of curvature (r) of the arc that an average vehicle moves through? (assuming power steering, since that's the most common) Such a formula would be useful in calculating centripetal...
  31. DaveC426913

    Exploring the Mystery: Why Nature Never Invented the Wheel

    Why did nature never invent the wheel?
  32. N

    Is the Fifth Wheel Pulled or Pushed?

    Background: For those of you who don't know, a fifth wheel RV is a recreational vehicle (trailer) that is hitched into the bed of a pickup truck, in front of the rear axel of the pickup. The rest of the trailer trails behind the pickup truck on two or three axels of it's own. Pickup's that...
  33. P

    Exploring Newton's Third Law: Rope with a Wheel & Work/Potential Energy

    One question related to Newton's third law, v t p u o u o It is a rope with a wheel,v. If 50N is applied from u pulling towards the ground, what's...
  34. check

    Solving Potter's Wheel Friction Problem

    So I'm doing an online homework problem: A potter's wheel - a thick stone disk of radius 0.405 m and mass 112 kg - is freely rotating at 48.0 rev/min. The potter can stop the wheel in 5.67 s by pressing a wet rag against the rim and exerting a radially inward force of 69.1 N. Find the...
  35. J

    Red Rope Tension: Does Wheel Movement Matter?

    If you take the wheel as your system, would the tension in the red rope be 10 lbs also? pic attached thanks
  36. B

    Moment of inertia of a wagon wheel

    hi.. does anyone now how to solve this problem A wagon wheel 0.7m in diameter consists of a thin rim having a mass of 7kg and six spokes each having a mass of 1.4kg. Determine the moment of inertia of the wagon wheel for rotation about its axis and this problem A 0.18-kg yo-yo consists...
  37. P

    Calculate the position of the center of mass of the weighted wheel

    A thin 8.0 kg wheel of radius 28 cm is weighted to one side by a 5 kg weight, small in size, placed 10 cm from the center of the wheel. (a) Calculate the position of the center of mass of the weighted wheel. choosing the 8.0kg wheel to be on the origin, my cm is (8.0*0+5*0.1)/(8+5)...
  38. E

    Why Is Calculating the Moment of Inertia for a Wagon Wheel Complex?

    A wagon wheel 1.00m in diameter consists of a thin rim having a mass of 7.25kg and six spokes each having a mass of 1.30kg. Determine the moment of inertia of the wagon wheel for rotation about its axis. I thought that I could simply sum the masses (7 of them) and the multiply them by them...
  39. N

    Solving the Normal Force of a 74 kg Chemistry Student on a Ferris Wheel

    Hi folks, Would appreciate any help with this problem A chemistry student with a mass of 74 kg is riding a steadily moving Ferris wheel. When she is at the top of the Ferris wheel, the normal force from the seat on to her body has a magnitude of 556 N. a)What is the magnitude of the...
  40. K

    Angular velocity of a ferris wheel

    This is a hard problem! :cry: Anyone know what my mistakes are?? ----- A passenger on the ferris wheel normally weighs 367 N. The ferris wheel has a 14 m radius and is equipped with a powerful motor. The operator revs it up so that the customers at the top of the wheel feel zero g's (they...
  41. P

    Wheel and turntable with different angular velocity

    The axle of a wheel is mounted on supports that rest on a rotating turntable as shown in Fig. 10-50. The wheel has angular velocity w1 = 50.0 rad/s about its axle, and the turntable has angular velocity of w=35.0 rad/s about a vertical axis. (Note arrows showing these motions in the figure.)...
  42. M

    Angular Acceleration of a Rotating Wheel: Solving a Common Question

    Can anyone help me in solving this question? At t=0, a wheel is rotating about a fixed axis at a constant angular acceleration has an angular velocity of 2 rad/s. Two seconds later it has turned 5 complete revolutions what is the angular acceleration of this wheel??
  43. U

    Name of the movement of a wheel

    I would really like someone to answer this simple question. I have searched the net and i cannot find the answer, i know i have only just read it but i can't remember where. Basically all i want to know is the name of the movement of a while when it is moving a vehicle (i don't mean around...
  44. J

    Fairground wheel Kinematics Question

    A fairground wheel is rotating in a vertical plane and carriages travel round a circle of diameter 40m at a constant speed. The carriages complete one revolution in 3.5min I need to calculate the speed of the carriage from the top of the wheel to the bottom: Circumference = 2 pi r...
  45. P

    Uniform Circular Motion and wheel revolutions

    A clump of mud is attached to the outside of a bicycle wheel, radius 700mm. how many revolutions per second does this wheel have to spin to fling off the mud if the coefficient of static friction attaching it to the wheel is 0.64. The real trouble I am having with this is find the normal...
  46. A

    Equation to model dripping faucet or slowing roulette wheel?

    I've noticed when I take a shower that after I turn off the water, the water that's left in the pipe runs out in a regular pattern. At first it streams out continuously, and then as the amount of water decreases, the stream turns to a trickle, and then a drip, and the drip is the most...
  47. S

    What Is the Speed of a Point on a Car Tire in Motion?

    The question is : The speed of a car traveling on a straight horizontal road is V. What is the speed of the point P on the tyre of the car ? (A) 0.5V (B) V (C) 2V (D) 3V i got try to solve it myself, and i get the...
  48. Z

    Solving the Spinning Wheel Problem - Jonathan

    Hi All! This is my first real post here. I have a pretty basic question regarding rotating objects and the manner in which the rotation becomes a translation. If I drop a bicycle wheel against the ground, it bounces back toward my hand. But if the wheel is spinning as it falls, it will...
  49. W

    Rotation of a wheel question

    Hi, I have a few questions, thanks for any help you can give! 1. If a wheel is rotating at a rate of 3.1 revolutions every 3.6 seconds. Through what angle, in radians, does the wheel rotate in 1 second?? 2. A car can negotiate an unbanked curve safely at a certain maximum speed when the...
  50. E

    The Constant Horizontal Force Needed to Raise the Wheel

    Just need to know if I'm on the right track (again): A wheel of mass M has radius R. It is standing vertically on the floor, and we want to exert a horizontal force F at its axle so that it will climb a step against which it rests. The step has height h, where h < R. What minimum force F is...
Back
Top