What is torque?

[BillyCheung]

Dear all

I know that torque = rxF, but I don't understand the concept of torque. Would you mind teach me? Thank a lot. Good Bye

Billy

[enigma]

It's the ability to twist caused by a force.

Consider a wrench.

If you push on the wrench to loosen a nut you hold it as far down the shaft as possible. If you push when your hand is really close in to the nut it won't do as much.

Also, if you push on the nut straight in a line with the wrench you won't cause any twisting either (that's the X term)