Warm Up- Spur Gears

A spur gear is a common gear type that looks like a wheel with teeth. 

In this Warm-Up, use the LEGO® parts provided and put together a combination of one large spur gear (40 teeth) and one small spur gear (8 teeth). 

The mechanical advantage (gear ratio) of this system should be 5:1. Turning the small gear (drive gear) five times will make the large gear (driven gear) rotate once. 

Hint: It is helpful to make a cranking handle to attach to the axle. Attaching a counter arm to the gear will help you keep track of its movement and determine mechanical advantage. 

Questions to Answer:

• When you turn one gear clockwise, which way does the other gear turn? 

• Which gear is moving faster?