Wheel & Axle

Big circles, small circles

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Wheel and axle: MA $= R/r$ when you turn the wheel.
• It’s a lever that keeps turning: doorknobs, taps, winches, screwdrivers.
• Driving the axle instead trades force for speed.

Steps

1. A lever that keeps turning
2. Winding a well bucket
3. Choose the handle
4. Backwards
5. A screwdriver
6. Steering effort