Understanding Epicycles: How Small Wheels Roll on Larger Ones

An epicycle (from Greek epi- "on" and kyklos "circle") is a circle or ring gear that is mounted on another circle or shaft, so that its circumference rolls or slides along the outer circumference of the larger circle. The term is often used to describe the wheels of a cart or other vehicle that runs on rails, but it can also be applied to other mechanical systems where one circular object moves around another.

In simple terms, an epicycle is like a bicycle wheel that is placed on top of a bigger wheel, so that as the big wheel turns, the smaller wheel rolls along its outer edge. This allows the smaller wheel to move in a circular motion while still being connected to the larger wheel.

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