When two gears of different sizes mesh together, what happens to the smaller gear compared to the larger gear?

When a small gear meshes with a larger gear, the smaller gear turns faster but with less torque, while the larger gear turns slower but with more torque. This is because the teeth move at the same rate where they mesh, so the smaller gear must complete more revolutions to keep up. Gears trade speed for torque (turning force) just as levers and pulleys trade force for distance. Meshed gears also turn in opposite directions. Understanding the speed-versus-torque tradeoff in gear pairs — small gear faster/less torque, large gear slower/more torque — is essential mechanical comprehension content.