The load applied by the shaft determines the type of ________ required.

The load applied by the shaft determines the type of ________ required.

• A. bearing
• B. seal
• C. gear
• D. bushing

Answer: (A)

The load on a shaft dictates what kind of bearing is needed. Bearings are designed to support rotating shafts under specific load directions: radial loads (perpendicular to the shaft), axial or thrust loads (along the shaft axis), or a combination of both. If the load is mainly radial, a radial bearing such as a ball or roller bearing is appropriate. If there’s a significant axial load, a thrust bearing is chosen. When both radial and axial loads occur, bearings designed for combined loading (like angular contact or paired bearings) are used. Seals, gears, and bushings don’t provide the same load-support function as bearings, so the bearing selection is driven by how the shaft is loaded.

The load on a shaft dictates what kind of bearing is needed. Bearings are designed to support rotating shafts under specific load directions: radial loads (perpendicular to the shaft), axial or thrust loads (along the shaft axis), or a combination of both. If the load is mainly radial, a radial bearing such as a ball or roller bearing is appropriate. If there’s a significant axial load, a thrust bearing is chosen. When both radial and axial loads occur, bearings designed for combined loading (like angular contact or paired bearings) are used. Seals, gears, and bushings don’t provide the same load-support function as bearings, so the bearing selection is driven by how the shaft is loaded.