A beam axle, also known as a live axle, is a solid axle commonly used in the rear of rear-wheel-drive vehicles, trailers, and four-wheel-drive trucks. It is cost-effective but produces a heavy unsprung weight, affecting ride quality. While it can be raised to high-quality ride standards, it falls short of independent axles in cornering and […]
The “Axis of Evil” refers to Iraq, Iran, and North Korea, grouped together as threats to the US capable of terrorism and nuclear attack. The phrase was introduced by President George W. Bush in 2002, developed by speechwriter David Frum as a means of advocating war. The term has been used to rally the country […]
Spring-over-axle conversion lifts a vehicle by moving the axle under the leaf spring, adding ground clearance. Additional lift can be achieved by adding springs or re-cambering the pack. Aftermarket lift kits can be used for maximum lift. The term spring over axis refers to the position of the leaf spring in relation to the axis. […]
The Axis Powers were Italy, Germany, and Japan, joined by other nations and puppet states during World War II. The term was coined by Mussolini in 1936, and the alliance was defeated in 1945 by the Allied Powers, including the US, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. The Axis is often regarded as evil due […]
The neutral axis is a line through an object showing the center of forces acting on it. It is easy to find in simple objects, but complex objects require a complex mathematical process. The neutral axis is used in architecture to create arches. A neutral axis is a line through an object showing the center […]
The axis of symmetry is used to graph quadratic functions, with the vertex being the midline of the parabola. To find the axis of symmetry, manipulate the function or use a formula to determine the vertex’s x-coordinate. This concept is taught in algebra and is useful for graphing more complex functions. The axis of symmetry […]
The ECG axis is the direction of the heart’s electrical activity, measured by electrode receptors placed in pairs known as leads. A healthy heart’s axis points towards the left ventricle. Deviations to the left can indicate abnormal heart rhythms, while deviations to the right can indicate lung disease or heart defects. An ECG cannot measure […]
The axis of rotation is an imaginary line through a 3D object that it can rotate around. 2D objects can only rotate around a point, not an axis. A 3D object cannot rotate around an interior point and can have multiple internal rotation axes. Axis of rotation is a term used in many branches of […]
The parallel axis theorem determines the moment of inertia of an object as it rotates about any axis. It applies to any solid object in rotation, including irregular shapes. The moment of inertia is the resistance of an object to change in speed or direction of rotation. For regular objects, the moment of inertia can […]
The Earth takes 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.06 seconds to complete one rotation on its axis, called a sidereal day. Solar days are about four minutes longer due to the Earth’s rotation around the Sun. Other planets rotate similarly to Earth, except Venus and Uranus. Some cultures use sidereal months based on the moon’s […]
Mildred Gillars, also known as Axis Sally, was an American broadcaster who worked for the Nazis during WWII. She used her American accent and knowledge of American culture to demoralize American soldiers. Gillars was convicted of treason in 1948 and remained in prison until 1961. She died in 1988. Axis Sally was a radio broadcaster […]
The optical axis is a line through a point of rotational symmetry in a lens or crystal, which can impact performance. Dome magnifiers have a symmetrical axis, while other optics may have an offset axis. Biaxial crystals have two axes, and mechanical tests can determine the position of an optical axis. Lens grinders and synthetic […]
