Final answer:
In a gear drive with differing sized gears, the smaller gear is known as the pinion, which rotates faster than the larger gear, altering speed and torque.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the gears of a gear drive are of differing sizes, the smaller gear is known as the pinion. The pinion is the smaller of two meshed gears in a gear assembly, and it typically drives or is driven by a larger gear known as a gear or a wheel. The pinion rotates more quickly than the larger gear, providing a mechanical advantage that alters the output speed and torque of the gear drive system.
The smaller gear in a gear drive with differing sizes is known as the pinion gear.
A pinion is a gear with a small number of teeth designed to mesh with a larger gear or rack, often used in mechanical systems to transmit motion or power. Here are some key aspects of pinions:
Characteristics:
Teeth: Pinions typically have fewer teeth compared to the gear they mesh with, which is called the "gear" or "gear wheel."
Size: They are usually smaller in size compared to the gear they engage with.
Shape: The teeth of a pinion are cut in a way that allows them to smoothly mesh with the teeth of the larger gear or rack.