freephoton said:if a rigid body, let's say a disk,is floating in space and we exert a force outside its center of mass will it rotate or just start a linear move? its center of mass is free to move.sorry if my English are not so good.I hope that you understood the question
Torque is a measure of the force needed to rotate an object around its axis. It is often described as a twisting or turning force.
Torque is calculated by multiplying the applied force by the distance from the axis of rotation to the point where the force is applied. The unit of torque is typically newton-meters (Nm) or foot-pounds (ft-lb).
According to Newton's Second Law, torque is directly proportional to the angular acceleration of an object. This means that a greater torque will result in a greater acceleration, and vice versa.
Yes, torque can be negative. This occurs when the applied force is in the opposite direction of the rotation.
Torque is used in many real-world applications, such as car engines, bicycle pedals, and door hinges. It is also important in industrial machinery and construction equipment to ensure proper functioning and safety.