There is a very good video from 1937 by Jam Handy. It explains why we need differential gears and how they work.
I think the video is a masterpiece of an explanation. I recommend you watch it, not because understanding differentials is essential (though that doesn’t hurt), but because the video can teach you a lot about how to explain something properly.
Here are some techniques the video uses (non-exhaustive):
Start with giving the context of why the thing that is being explained is important, e.g. by describing a concrete problem to which the thing to be explained is the solution.
Use visual explanations. Specifically, demonstrate the mechanism to be explained in action.
Start to explain a simple toy model and then add layers of complexity until you arrive at the real deal.
I think I have never seen an explanation, that by its end has annihilated the possibility of misunderstanding so effectively, and I really like how smooth the transition is from background story to technical explanation. There is no jarring break.
A Good Explanation of Differential Gears
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There is a very good video from 1937 by Jam Handy. It explains why we need differential gears and how they work.
I think the video is a masterpiece of an explanation. I recommend you watch it, not because understanding differentials is essential (though that doesn’t hurt), but because the video can teach you a lot about how to explain something properly.
Here are some techniques the video uses (non-exhaustive):
Start with giving the context of why the thing that is being explained is important, e.g. by describing a concrete problem to which the thing to be explained is the solution.
Use visual explanations. Specifically, demonstrate the mechanism to be explained in action.
Start to explain a simple toy model and then add layers of complexity until you arrive at the real deal.
I think I have never seen an explanation, that by its end has annihilated the possibility of misunderstanding so effectively, and I really like how smooth the transition is from background story to technical explanation. There is no jarring break.