If the load on a bearing is increased by 2x, what happens to the bearing life?

When the load on a bearing is increased by a factor of 2, the bearing life is significantly affected, following the principles defined by the bearing life equation. Specifically, for rolling element bearings, the life (often expressed in hours or revolutions) is inversely related to the load applied to it.

According to the fundamental relationship in bearing reliability, the bearing life is proportional to the load raised to a specific exponent, commonly referred to as the life exponent. For most bearing types, this exponent is typically around 3, meaning that if you double the load (2x), the effect on the bearing life is calculated as follows: the life decreases by a factor of 2^3, which equals 8. Therefore, the life of the bearing is reduced to 1/8 of its original capacity.

This mathematical relationship clarifies that increasing the load substantially diminishes the life of the bearing due to increased stress and potential for fatigue, making the option stating that the bearing life is reduced to 1/8 accurately reflect this concept.