A bearing reduces which quantity between two surfaces while supporting a load?

A bearing reduces which quantity between two surfaces while supporting a load?

• A. Friction
• B. Wear
• C. Heat
• D. Vibration

Answer: (A)

Friction is the resistive force between moving surfaces, and a bearing is designed to minimize it while carrying a load. By placing rolling elements between inner and outer races, contact is rolling rather than sliding, which greatly lowers the friction force compared with sliding contact. With less friction, the surfaces wear more slowly over time, and heat generated from sliding is reduced as well. Vibration can be influenced by bearing design and lubrication, but the primary quantity reduced between the surfaces during operation is friction.

Friction is the resistive force between moving surfaces, and a bearing is designed to minimize it while carrying a load. By placing rolling elements between inner and outer races, contact is rolling rather than sliding, which greatly lowers the friction force compared with sliding contact. With less friction, the surfaces wear more slowly over time, and heat generated from sliding is reduced as well. Vibration can be influenced by bearing design and lubrication, but the primary quantity reduced between the surfaces during operation is friction.