Which of the following terms is used to describe the shortest radial dimension of a cam profile?

The term that describes the shortest radial dimension of a cam profile is known as the inner base circle. In cam design, the inner base circle serves as a reference for the cam’s movement and clearly defines the minimum radius from the center of the camshaft to the edge of the cam profile. Understanding the inner base circle is essential for determining how far a cam lobe will lift the follower and how the cam interacts with the engine components.

In contrast, the outer base circle refers to the largest radial dimension of a cam profile, which is not the shortest dimension being asked in the question. The unload flank and lift flank relate to specific sections of the cam profile that influence the motion of the follower, but they do not define a radial dimension. Thus, identifying the inner base circle accurately captures the concept of the shortest radial dimension within a cam profile.