Chapter 10, Problem 30A

The wheels of railroad trains are tapered, a feature especially important on curves. For sharp curves, should the wheels be less tapered or more tapered?

To determine

To identify: Whether the wheels of railroad trains be less tapered or more tapered for sharp curves.

Answer to Problem 30A

For sharp curves, the wheels of railroad trains are more tapered.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The wheels of railroad trains are tapered to increase or decrease the speed on the curves.

Wheels of the railroad are more tapered. Because wheels of railroad trains won’t make much of a turn for sharp curves if wheels are less tapered. The larger radius of the wide part gives greater linear speed compared to the narrow part.

Conclusion:

Thus, due to straight-line motion on parallel railroads, wheels are made more tapered.