🔍 Key Concepts

• Thrust vs. radial forces on a shaft • What happens to the force created by the propeller pushing water astern • Location and purpose of a thrust bearing in a reduction gear/shaft line

💭 Think About

• Think about the direction of the force created when a propeller pushes the ship forward. Where does that force have to go? • Ask yourself which choice describes an axial (along-the-shaft) function, and which describe speed change, support, or mounting functions. • In a reduction gear system, what component actually changes shaft speed, and what component mainly handles forces along the shaft?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which answer choice clearly deals with axial (along the shaft) thrust, not side support. • Eliminate any option that describes functions normally handled by gears (speed change) or shaft bearings that support radial load only. • Confirm you know the difference between thrust bearings and line shaft (journal) bearings in terms of what direction of load they carry.