A pinion gear with 10 teeth is driving a spur gear with 40 teeth. the spur gear is rotating at 160 rpm. determine the speed of the pinion gear?

the small gear turns 4 times as fast as the large one.

To determine the speed of the pinion gear, we can use the concept of gear ratios. The gear ratio is defined as the ratio of the number of teeth on the driving gear (pinion gear) to the number of teeth on the driven gear (spur gear).

In this case, the gear ratio can be calculated as follows:

Gear Ratio = Number of teeth on the driven gear / Number of teeth on the driving gear

Gear Ratio = 40 teeth / 10 teeth

Gear Ratio = 4

Now, we know that the spur gear is rotating at 160 RPM (revolutions per minute). Since the pinion gear is the driving gear, its speed can be determined by dividing the speed of the spur gear by the gear ratio.

Speed of Pinion Gear = Speed of Spur Gear / Gear Ratio

Speed of Pinion Gear = 160 RPM / 4

Speed of Pinion Gear = 40 RPM

Therefore, the speed of the pinion gear is 40 revolutions per minute (RPM).