WTMA Wheels, Axles, and Rotation 2

Question 1

A wheel with a radius of 10 inches is connected by a belt to a wheel with a radius of 5 inches. If the larger wheel rotates at 60 RPM, how fast does the smaller wheel rotate?

Accepted Answer

120 RPM

Answer

When connected by a belt, the smaller wheel spins twice as fast because RPM × radius is constant, so 60 × 10/5 = 120 RPM.

Question 2

Two wheels are meshed (teeth interlocked). Wheel A has 20 teeth and Wheel B has 5 teeth. If Wheel A makes 1 full revolution, how many revolutions does Wheel B make?

Accepted Answer

4

Answer

With meshed gears, revolutions are inversely proportional to tooth count: 20/5 = 4 revolutions for Wheel B.

Question 3

A door handle uses a spindle (axle) with a knob on each end. Turning one knob clockwise causes the other knob to rotate:

Accepted Answer

Clockwise

Answer

Both knobs are fixed to the same spindle, so they always rotate in the same direction simultaneously.

Question 4

A wheel of diameter 2 feet rolls along the ground without slipping. How far does it travel in 10 complete rotations?

Accepted Answer

62.8 feet

Answer

Distance = circumference × rotations = π × diameter × 10 = π × 2 × 10 ≈ 62.8 feet.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes mechanical advantage gained from a wheel-and-axle system?

Accepted Answer

Turning the larger wheel requires less force to overcome load on the smaller axle

Answer

A large wheel provides mechanical advantage by allowing a small input force over a large radius to overcome a larger load at the smaller axle radius.

WTMA - Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude Practice Test

WTMA - Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude Practice Test

WTMA Wheels, Axles, and Rotation 2