# A bicycle uses a gear system consisting of a large front chainring connected by a chain to a small rear sprocket. When the cyclist pedals, the rear wheel spins faster than the pedals. Explain how the gear system achieves this and describe one disadvantage of using this gear arrangement when cycling uphill.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 3.3 Moments, levers and gears · Explain · 4 marks

> Cyclists use different gear combinations to suit different riding conditions. A large front chainring paired with a small rear sprocket is often called a 'high gear'.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The large gear (chainring) turns the small gear (sprocket) — the small gear rotates more times for each rotation of the large gear
2. The rear wheel is attached to the sprocket and so also spins faster than the pedals / chainring
3. A greater force (moment/torque) is needed to turn the larger chainring relative to the small sprocket, so the cyclist must push harder on the pedals
4. This makes it harder to pedal uphill because the cyclist cannot generate enough force / it is harder to overcome the increased resistance when climbing

## Key terms

- [gear](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/gear)
- [chainring](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chainring)
- [sprocket](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/sprocket)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-bicycle-uses-a-gear-system-7d1cf02c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.