In rewinding an audio or videotape, why does the tape wind up faster at the end than at the beginning?

Answer 1

The reel that's taking up the tape has more tape on it and a bigger diameter which means the circumference is getting bigger and bigger. For the same RPM's it has to wind more tape.

Answer 2

It rewinds slowly to begin with so that it doesnt rewind overly fast and possibly cause damage to the cassette. Damage would occur if for example you were rewinding it, and it was already near the start. It needs to give itself time to work out how much room it has to play with. I'm not sure of the specifics of the method a tape playing machine does this, but it looks like it gives itself a generous safety margin.

Answer 3

Big drive wheel spins small slave wheel fast.
As the tape moves to the "start" spool, it gets bigger, thus, leaving the "end" spool smaller.