What is a gear?

A gear is defined as a toothed wheel that engages with another toothed component to transmit torque and alter speed or direction of motion within a mechanical system. Gears work by interlocking teeth that mesh together, allowing them to transfer rotational motion and force from one gear shaft to another.

When the gear rotates, its teeth push against the teeth of another gear connected to it, which can then rotate at a different speed or direction. This ability to change speed and force is fundamental in various machines and mechanical devices, making gears essential in applications such as vehicles, clocks, and machinery. Thus, understanding gears as toothed wheels that modify speed relations is key to grasping how mechanical systems function.