What converts rotational motion to linear motion?

• A. Rack and Pinion
• B. Pinion Gear
• C. Aircraft Cable Design
• D. Chairlift Operation Inspection

Answer: (A)

Converting rotational motion into linear motion is achieved most directly with a rack and pinion setup. The pinion is a circular gear that turns, and it meshes with a straight, toothed bar called the rack. As the gear rotates, its teeth push against the rack’s teeth, causing the rack to slide in a straight line. The amount of linear travel corresponds to how far the gear turns and the pitch of the teeth.

This is a clear way to translate circular motion into straight-line movement, which is why the rack and pinion is the correct answer. A standalone pinion gear would just spin without producing linear motion unless paired with a rack. Aircraft cable design relies on cables, pulleys, or drums to move loads and doesn’t inherently convert rotation to linear motion in a single joint. Chairlift operation inspection is about safety checks and procedures, not the mechanical method of motion conversion.