Simple Machine: Wheel and Axle
The wheel and axle is a simple machine that is used in many applications such as the screwdriver, capstan and rope machine, among others. To know more about this simple machine, read on...
A wheel and axle can be defined as, "a mechanical device consisting of a grooved wheel turned by a cord or chain with a rigidly attached axle (as for winding up a weight) together with the supporting standards."
There are six simple machines, that is, the lever, pulley, screw, inclined plane, wedge and the wheel and axle. This is one of the classical simple machines, which has been used in many applications including various home appliances, like the fan.
As the name suggests, it is composed of a wheel, which is bigger in diameter than the axle. The axle is the smaller circular part of this machine. Either of the two parts can be considered as the 'effort arm' and the 'resistance arm'. It depends upon where the force is applied. Generally, the force is applied on the wheel to gain maximum output from the wheel and axle assembly. The point at which the wheel joins the axle is known as the fulcrum. The fulcrum acts as a point where the force from the wheel is transferred to the axle.
The Principle behind Wheel and Axle (Multiplier of the Torque)
The wheel and axle multiplies the property of 'torque' during its motion. In fact, its output is measured in terms of the torque. Torque is the property of the force that is exhibited when an object rotates around its axis. Torque is a kind of a twist which acts in a circular motion, unlike linear motion. Three quantities that determine the magnitude of torque are enlisted below.
The formulas used in determining the 'ideal mechanical advantage' and 'actual mechanical advantage' of the motion of wheel and axle are stated below:
Ideal Mechanical Advantage (M.A) = radius of the wheel / radius of the axle
Actual Mechanical Advantage (A.M.A) = resistance force / actual effort force
In the above formula, the resistance force is the force that the effort force is needed to overcome for doing the work.
Applications
The wheel and axle is used in many different applications. Let us take a look at some of its applications:
Screwdriver: The handle of the screwdriver acts as a wheel in this case, while its central rod plays the role of the axle. It is possible to make the screwdriver more effective, by simply increasing the diameter of the handle. It increases the output indirectly, by consuming a lesser force.
Capstan: One more application is the capstan which is used in ships. Sailors make use of this simple machine to raise anchors and other heavy objects. In this machine, force is applied on an axis by means of a crank. The crank acts as the wheel in this case. A rope is wound on the axis, which helps in lifting different objects.
Rope Machine: This application of the simple machine is used in drawing water from wells. The bigger wheel of this machine is rotated to apply force on the smaller wheel in the water. The smaller wheel in turn converts the rotating or circular motion into linear motion. This helps in drawing the water out of the well, with a rope attached to the smaller wheel.
The concept of this simple machine is applied in many different machines. From the definitions, formulas and the example discussed above, it would be appropriate to say that the wheel and axle holds immense importance in the working of various machines.
There are six simple machines, that is, the lever, pulley, screw, inclined plane, wedge and the wheel and axle. This is one of the classical simple machines, which has been used in many applications including various home appliances, like the fan.
As the name suggests, it is composed of a wheel, which is bigger in diameter than the axle. The axle is the smaller circular part of this machine. Either of the two parts can be considered as the 'effort arm' and the 'resistance arm'. It depends upon where the force is applied. Generally, the force is applied on the wheel to gain maximum output from the wheel and axle assembly. The point at which the wheel joins the axle is known as the fulcrum. The fulcrum acts as a point where the force from the wheel is transferred to the axle.
The Principle behind Wheel and Axle (Multiplier of the Torque)
The wheel and axle multiplies the property of 'torque' during its motion. In fact, its output is measured in terms of the torque. Torque is the property of the force that is exhibited when an object rotates around its axis. Torque is a kind of a twist which acts in a circular motion, unlike linear motion. Three quantities that determine the magnitude of torque are enlisted below.
- The first quantity is the amount of force applied.
- The second quantity that determines torque is the distance of the point on the lever arm from the axis at which the force is applied.
- The third quantity is the angle between the lever arm and the axis.
The formulas used in determining the 'ideal mechanical advantage' and 'actual mechanical advantage' of the motion of wheel and axle are stated below:
Ideal Mechanical Advantage (M.A) = radius of the wheel / radius of the axle
Actual Mechanical Advantage (A.M.A) = resistance force / actual effort force
In the above formula, the resistance force is the force that the effort force is needed to overcome for doing the work.
Applications
The wheel and axle is used in many different applications. Let us take a look at some of its applications:
Screwdriver: The handle of the screwdriver acts as a wheel in this case, while its central rod plays the role of the axle. It is possible to make the screwdriver more effective, by simply increasing the diameter of the handle. It increases the output indirectly, by consuming a lesser force.
Capstan: One more application is the capstan which is used in ships. Sailors make use of this simple machine to raise anchors and other heavy objects. In this machine, force is applied on an axis by means of a crank. The crank acts as the wheel in this case. A rope is wound on the axis, which helps in lifting different objects.
Rope Machine: This application of the simple machine is used in drawing water from wells. The bigger wheel of this machine is rotated to apply force on the smaller wheel in the water. The smaller wheel in turn converts the rotating or circular motion into linear motion. This helps in drawing the water out of the well, with a rope attached to the smaller wheel.
The concept of this simple machine is applied in many different machines. From the definitions, formulas and the example discussed above, it would be appropriate to say that the wheel and axle holds immense importance in the working of various machines.
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