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Physics
Mechanical Transmission
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Change the driver and driven wheel sizes to explore the speeds and directions of gears, belts and chains.
Paused
Turns at 0.5 times the driver speedMeshing teeth
Direction and example configurations
Speed when running
15rpm
Opposite directions
Transmission ratio: i = n₁/n₂ = 2
Driver30 rpm
Driven wheel15 rpm
0180 rpm
Net revolutions
Driver0 rev
Driven wheel0 rev
Since reconfiguration. A minus sign means net clockwise rotation.
Follow the yellow detail through the transmission region.
From the selected configuration
z₂/z₁ = 40/20
n₂ = 30 × 20/40 = 15
Here: i = driver speed / driven wheel speed.
Slow motion does not change the physical speed or transmission ratio.
Model notes
- An ideal single-stage transmission: slip, deformation, losses, inertia, backlash and loads are omitted. Values are calculated.
- Convention: i = n₁/n₂, where 1 is the driver and 2 the driven wheel; n is speed magnitude. Direction is shown separately.
- External spur gears share a module. Pulleys use working diameters; belt thickness is neglected.
- The chain shows mean speed from tooth counts, omitting polygonal action and slack. The links are schematic, not manufacturing drawings.
- Changing wheel sizes or mechanisms installs a new configuration: motion stops and revolution counts reset. Do not infer power or torque.
- 0.25× slows observation time only. Signed revolution counts are net rotation; reversing direction can decrease them.