1. What is Torque?

Torque is a measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. Torque is calculated as the product of force and the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line of action of the force.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the torque equation:

Where:

• \( \tau \) — Torque (N·m)
• \( F \) — Force applied (N)
• \( r \) — Radius or distance from axis (m)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between force vector and lever arm (rad)

Explanation: The equation calculates the rotational effect of a force applied at a distance from a pivot point, with the sine function accounting for the angle of application.

3. Importance of Torque Calculation

Details: Accurate torque calculation is essential in mechanical engineering, automotive design, physics experiments, and various applications involving rotational motion and force transmission.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter force in newtons (N), radius in meters (m), and angle in radians. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between torque and force?
A: Force causes linear acceleration, while torque causes rotational acceleration. Torque depends on both the magnitude of force and its point of application relative to the axis of rotation.

Q2: Why is the angle important in torque calculation?
A: The angle determines the effective component of force that contributes to rotation. Maximum torque occurs when the force is applied perpendicular to the lever arm (θ = 90° or π/2 rad).

Q3: What are common units for torque?
A: The SI unit is newton-meter (N·m). Other common units include pound-foot (lb·ft) and dyne-centimeter (dyn·cm).

Q4: How does torque relate to power?
A: Power is the rate of doing work, and in rotational systems, power equals torque multiplied by angular velocity (P = τ × ω).

Q5: What is the right-hand rule for torque?
A: The right-hand rule helps determine the direction of the torque vector. Point your fingers in the direction of the lever arm, curl them toward the force direction, and your thumb points in the torque direction.