Ace the 2026 Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Challenge – Tune Your Gears for Success!

Torque is the rotational force that causes an object to rotate around an axis, and in a wheel and belt system, it is significantly influenced by the radius of the wheel. When larger wheels are used, they have a greater radius, which increases the torque for a given force applied to the wheel. This is because torque is calculated as the product of force and the distance from the axis of rotation (radius). Therefore, with the application of larger wheels, the torque increases, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the system.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately reflect the relationship between torque and the system's parameters. For example, saying torque is inversely proportional to radius would imply that a larger radius decreases torque, which contradicts the established relationship. Additionally, the notion that torque has no bearing on system effectiveness overlooks its critical role in determining how effectively the system can work under load. Lastly, saying torque only applies to belt systems is misleading, as torque is a fundamental concept that applies to many mechanical systems beyond just belts, including gears, levers, and pulleys.