Pedal
A pedal is a lever activated by one's foot. Examples include:
- An automobile has usually three pedals, from left to right:
- operated by the left foot:
- operated by the right foot:
- brake pedal, which is usually wide and elevated well above the car floor
- gas pedal (accelerator): controls fuel supply to the automobile's engine. It is usually narrow and close to the car floor allowing the driver's heel to rest on the car floor.
- Bicycle pedal: on a bicycle, each of two platforms at the end of the crank arms, connected such that while the crank arms rotate, the pedals can stay parallel to the shoe soles; this human powered rotation provides the propulsion, usually through a bicycle chain that makes the back wheel turn. In the case of a back pedalling brake, they are also used for applying the brake in the back wheel, again through the chain.
- Organ pedal: a pedal on an organ that acts like a key on the organ keyboard; when depressed, it causes a note (or group of notes) to sound.
- Pedal tone: a nonchord tone, usually the tonic or dominant held for an extended period of time.
- not to be confused with a paddle.
Geometry: see also pedal triangle, pedal curve.
