What effect do larger wheels have on a vehicle's distance traveled per rotation?

Larger wheels on a vehicle have a significant impact on the distance traveled per rotation due to the geometry of the wheel. The distance covered in one complete rotation of a wheel is determined by its circumference, which is calculated using the formula ( C = 2\pi r ), where ( C ) represents the circumference and ( r ) is the radius of the wheel.

When the wheels are larger, the radius is greater, which directly increases the circumference. This means that with each complete turn of the wheel, the vehicle moves a greater distance. In contrast, smaller wheels cover less distance with each rotation due to their smaller circumference.

The choice that states larger wheels increase the distance traveled is thus correct because as the circumference increases, so does the distance covered for each rotation. This principle is foundational in understanding how wheel size impacts vehicle dynamics and efficiency.