What is Torque: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force. It is also referred to as the moment, moment of force, rotational force or turning effect, depending on the field of study. The concept originated with the studies by Archimedes of the usage of levers. Just as a linear force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist to an object around a specific axis. Another definition of torque is the product of the magnitude of the force and the perpendicular distance of the line of action of a force from the axis of rotation. The symbol for torque is typically




τ



{\displaystyle {\boldsymbol {\tau }}}
or τ, the lowercase Greek letter tau. When being referred to as moment of force, it is commonly denoted by M.
In three dimensions, the torque is a pseudovector; for point particles, it is given by the cross product of the position vector (distance vector) and the force vector. The magnitude of torque of a rigid body depends on three quantities: the force applied, the lever arm vector connecting the point about which the torque is being measured to the point of force application, and the angle between the force and lever arm vectors. In symbols:





τ

=

r

×

F





{\displaystyle {\boldsymbol {\tau }}=\mathbf {r} \times \mathbf {F} \,\!}




τ
=


r





F


sin

θ




{\displaystyle \tau =\|\mathbf {r} \|\,\|\mathbf {F} \|\sin \theta \,\!}
where





τ



{\displaystyle {\boldsymbol {\tau }}}
is the torque vector and



τ


{\displaystyle \tau }
is the magnitude of the torque,





r



{\displaystyle \mathbf {r} }
is the position vector (a vector from the point about which the torque is being measured to the point where the force is applied),





F



{\displaystyle \mathbf {F} }
is the force vector,




×


{\displaystyle \times }
denotes the cross product, which produces a vector that is perpendicular to both r and F following the right-hand rule,




θ


{\displaystyle \theta }
is the angle between the force vector and the lever arm vector.The SI unit for torque is the newton-metre (N⋅m). For more on the units of torque, see § Units.

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  1. billtodd

    The ratio between two horizontal speeds in this pendulum arrangement

    From the forces equation I can only understand from it that the forces' equations are:##N=Mg## and ##T\sin \theta=m\ell \ddot{\theta}##. But I don't know how to find the Torques' equations. Any help is appreciated. N=Mg ##Tcos⁡θ+N=mg
  2. Y

    How much should I adjust torque when using anti-seize?

    Rust belt fasteners on cars that have been in use for about 20 years, sometimes seize up and snap inside of their holes. I would like to avoid the frustration going forward of this happening by using anti-seize. How much should I adjust torque specifications by when using anti-seize? Looking...
  3. dcmf

    Torque question in Deltoid muscle

    Here's a picture the question provided. I tried solving this question two ways (assuming the axis of rotation is at the shoulder joint) and am getting wildly different answers. Some potential reasons there's a discrepancy: - I'm not super confident about my use of the torque equation...
  4. dcmf

    Find tension using sum of torque (two strings, one beam, one box)

    Here's the picture of the situation described, provided by the question. Here's a screenshot of the work I have done. Here's a screenshot of the submission screen. The issue is that I have one attempt left and am not sure what I am doing wrong. Based on the hints, I feel like I'm...
  5. Z

    Where on a rigid body is a resultant force applied?

    Here is what I came up with First, let's compute the resultant force. $$F_{R,x}=F+F\sqrt{2}\cdot\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}=2F$$ $$F_{R,y}=F-F\sqrt{2}\cdot\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}=0$$ At this point we already have the magnitude and direction of the resultant force. We need the point of application. My...
  6. Z

    Find moment arm of resultant force of two forces applied at two points

    We have The torque about the origin is $$\vec{\tau}=(aA-bB)\hat{k}\tag{1}$$ The resultant force is $$\vec{F}_R=B\hat{i}+A\hat{j}\tag{2}$$ At this point, all I did was compute $$|\vec{r}\times\vec{F}_R|=|\vec{r}||\vec{F}_R|\sin{\theta}=l|\vec{F}_R|=|\vec{\tau}|\tag{3}$$ which led to...
  7. pedrovisk

    I Newton's second law for rotations

    EDIT: I forgot about Second Newton's law for rotations and this led to a mistake. Anyway, thanks for the people who answered it and remembered me about law of inertia. I was thinking about how to "make" things to move without rotate the object, then i tried to calculate the minimum force to...
  8. J

    Pull-off force: hose, pipe, clamp

    Was surprised by a study recently where we tested 6 samples for pull-off force at a 10% reduction in clamp Torque and noticed negligible shift in results. Is it possible that at higher torque the clamp is deforming the pipe, reducing the surface contact (friction) between the hose and pipe? The...
  9. JackLee

    Find the force acting on the roller in the direction of the spring

    A torque meter with a triangular slab extension is inserted into a corresponding triangular slot. The C-shaped arm features a V-shaped dent on which a roller is seated. This roller is held in compression by a spring. The roller's positions are labeled '0' for the initial state and '1' for the...
  10. A

    Torque calculation based on distributive load

    The following images contain the question as well as my solution. I am not sure whether my solution is correct or not. Please help.
  11. A

    Derivation Of Torque On Current Loop Due To Uniform Magnetic Field

    I can derive it for a circular loop: $$dF=BI\sin\phi\ dl=BIr\sin\phi\ d\phi$$ Torque on quarter circle when field is parallel to plane of loop=$$\tau=\int^{(\pi/2)}_0 BI \ dl \sin\phi (r\sin\phi)$$$$=\int^{(\pi/2)}_0 BIr^2 \sin^2\phi\ d\phi$$ Net torque=##4\tau=BIA## If magnetic field is at any...
  12. Quantum Psi Inverted

    Balancing Torques and Forces on this Beam

    In the given solution, it states that F_3f(a)=F_2f(a+b) is a "reasonable assumption". However, I don't see how we can just assume that. I can very clearly see that F_i for i=1,2,3 is likely proportional to a and b in some kind of way, but I can not clearly establish a line of reasoning for this...
  13. Juanda

    I Transmission of torque using friction

    I am trying to obtain the expression for the potential transmission of torque using friction. I could derive the formula assuming constant pressure between planar surfaces. To have it in LATEX so it is easier to read, this is the expression for the torque transmission using friction...
  14. Sibbo

    Alternator torque when connected to a phase-shifted AC source

    Hi, I am trying to figure out the torque experienced by an alternator to plug into the swing equation. I am not sure how to exactly model the alternator for that. With my current approach, I only get confused. My idea is to model the alternator as a AC power source with fixed frequency in...
  15. J

    Why are the forces on torque tension and not the weight of the mass?

    Let the left string be T1 and the right string be T2. Pretend that the masses are NOT equal and that the total mass on the left is 3mg and the total mass on the right is 2mg. My first thought: Net torque = 3mgR1-2mgR1 Actual solution: Net torque = (T1-T2)*R Once again, the force that's used...
  16. M

    Torque before slipping in a refrigerator

    The solution lists out mg(b/2)=ma(h/2) and then proceeds to solve for a. I am a bit stuck on how the initial equation is listed - why is the (b/2) swapped with the (h/2)? (namely, why isn't the equation mg(h/2)=ma(b/2)? My logic for this is y-direction and x-direction ) I feel that I am missing...
  17. A

    Torque in a parallel combination of springs

    In deriving the ##k_{net}## of the given system, it is taken that the extension produced by both springs is equal but their force is different. Therefore ##(k_1+k_2)x=k_{net}x \implies k_1+k_2=k_{net}##. In absence of pivot, an object rotates around an axis through COM and perpendicular to...
  18. meakerb

    How to calculate required torque for a robot arm

    I am trying to size the two motors needed for a robot arm I'm building. The first motor, which I call the wrist motor, drives a pulley on a fixed axis that connects to a second pulley (of the same size) which is attached to a hand and load. I can calculate the moment of inertia for the hand and...
  19. panda02

    SEE-SAW Torque HW Equation

    Torque_left = 100 kg * 1 m = 100 kg·m Torque_right = 200 kg * (13 - x) m = 200(13 - x) kg·m 100 kg·m = 200(13 - x) kg·m 100 = 200(13 - x) x = 12.5 meters pivot = 12.5 m
  20. D

    Derivation of time period for physical pendula without calculus

    TL;DR Summary: I'm stuck trying to find the equation for time period T of a physical pendulum without any calculus using torque. Hello all. I am currently writing my IB Physics HL IA (high school physics lab report). I am investigating the effect of length on the time period of a uniform rod...
  21. durwoodb

    Calculation torque of a drive at the torque arm

    Hey Guys, I'm looking for any help in determining what the estimated torque would be on our mixer. If you know of someone that can help with this please let me know and maybe forward this to them. We are looking for a device (strain gauge) that can display this and we will need to know...
  22. A

    Calculating Torque on this Square

    So I started by just figuring out what forces are going to have torque. I know the one heading straight down from the pivot won’t have any and the one going at an angle from the pivot won’t be included in the net torque since it’s at the pivot. The rest of the forces have torque and they are...
  23. G

    I Maximum torque without wheel slip

    I am designing a mini sumo robot which should contain two DC motors. I made a design for some motors which output a stall torque of 4.6 kg-cm each. My wheel radius is 3.4 cm and a depth of 2.2 cm and I plan to make it out of silicone. Wanting as little slip as possible while stalling what could...
  24. A

    I Why is the driven gear's torque's direction clockwise?

    We have two gears A and B (left and right). Gear A is driven with a clockwise torque. Why is gear B's torque also clockwise? I would say that if gear B is driven to turn counterclockwise, the torque should be in the counterclockwise direction.
  25. P

    Total torque of a multi motor system

    So I have four motors, each capable of producing 1 newton meters of torque. They are all running into a singular drive axle at 90degree offsets. There's no gearbox exchange or power transfer medium. It's axle to axle engagement with a pinon gear. Disregarding any sort of losses that may be...
  26. MatinSAR

    Calculate the torque that is produced by this force on a cylinder

    Why it said that angle between r and F is 30? I guess it should be 120 degrees... Am I wrong?
  27. C

    Finding the time for an object to start rolling without slipping

    For this, I don't understand why they don't have a negative sign as the torque to the friction should be negative. To my understanding, I think the equation 5.27 should be ##I\frac{d \omega}{dt} = -F_{friction}R## from the right hand rule assuming out of the page is positive. Noting that ##f_k...
  28. JohnnyLaws

    Finding the position of a person walking across a uniform bar on a fulcrum where it first tips

    I think that explained all in "Relevant equations". Here is the image of this exercise: This is my Free Body Diagram:
  29. JohnnyLaws

    Basics of forces/torques and fulcrum

    TL;DR Summary: When a cube is supported at the fulcrum and remains stationary due to a balloon exerting a force in the opposite direction of its weight. So the exercise is as follows: We have a homogeneous cube with an edge length of 2 meters, weighing 98N. On the other hand, we have a balloon...
  30. L

    Determine torque required to move load

    Trying to figure out how much torque an electric motor would need to move a load of 100lbs on a flat surface. The device would use two electric motors attached to a 8 inch diameter wheel (each motor is attached to a 8 inch wheel).
  31. Y

    Bolt Tightening: Same Position w/ Same Torque?

    Say I have a bolt and I thread it into a threaded hole. If I torque it down to a certain torque, then use a paint marker and mark the head of the bolt and the surface that the threaded hole is in with a straight line. Then I unfasten the bolt and refasten it into the same exact hole, and torque...
  32. Nova_Chr0n0

    Correct approach in resolving a force into its different components

    I've already got the answer and the way to solve it (parallelogram), but I'm just wondering why I cannot use the technique I've learned in the lesson torque. Let's focus on the line AB, if I use what I've learned in torque, the components would be like this: To find the force component in...
  33. makamo66

    B Why does torque increase with increasing moment of inertia?

    I'm confused because torque increases with increasing moment of inertia (MOI) but angular velocity decreases with increased MOI because of conservation of angular momentum so angular acceleration would also decrease. And then power is the product of torque and angular velocity so with a smaller...
  34. Mohmmad Maaitah

    Net torque on a cylinder by multiple applied forces

    Why did he give torque number 4 zero? It's not touching the axis of rotation and the angle 90 degrees between them. I get this: ##\tau## = 1 - 0.8 - 0.4 + 0.4 = 0.2 (C.C.W)
  35. L

    Calc Torque Req for Rotating 35lbs @ 25RPM

    I need help calculating the motor torque requirements for a project I'm working on...the senario is as follows... Two 5/8" diameter aluminum rods that are 3 feet long and 6" apart from each other. These rods need to rotate a maximum load of 35 pounds at a speed of 25 rotations per minute...
  36. Nova_Chr0n0

    Calculating torque about a point with given forces

    I've inserted a photo of the figure, hope everyone can see it. SOLUTION: 1. I first solved for the angle of 100 N and 50 N since I need the force that is perpendicular to point A. >> Angle of 100 N theta = arctan(3/4) theta = 36.870 degree >> Angle of 50 N...
  37. P

    I Prony brake calculation help (for determining engine horsepower)

    I need some help here. I'm trying to determine how to use the numbers I'm getting for my pony break to determine horsepower at the axle of my engine. Right now I'm getting a reading of six pounds of torque, 4 in off of the center line of the axle at a rate of 30 rpms. Can someone help me...
  38. Shreya

    The Definition of Torque - a proof

    I have been trying to understand this proof from the book 'Introduction to classical mechanics' by David Morin. This proof comes up in the first chapter of statics and is a proof for the definition of torque. I don't understand why the assumption taken in the beginning of the proof is...
  39. xkcda

    Torque about an accelerating point

    The total force acting on the pulley is zero so: F=mg+T1+T2 (1)Analyzing the torque and angular acceleration about the actual axis of rotation, the axle of the pulley, gives: τnet=T1R−T2R=Iα (2)If we analyze about point P, the right edge of the pulley where T1 is applied, we get...
  40. MichaelKD

    Net Torque Within a Mass and Pulley System

    I started by summing the forces and torques to get: - ma = mg-T - I*alpha=Tr I then used a=alpha*r and I=Mr^2 to combine the equations and solved for angular acceleration equals 81.75rad/s^2. Plugging this back into a torque equation I got that the net torque is 1.04Nm. However, the problem...
  41. paulimerci

    Three equal forces applied to a rectangle, find net torque direction?

    This is how I interpreted the problem, a) The net torque about point A is zero. This is because the forces F1 and F2 are equal and opposite, and they act at the same distance from point A. Therefore, they produce torques that cancel each other out.. The force F3 doesn’t does not produce any...
  42. O

    How to design a barrel cam to improve torque?

    Hallo Could someone suggest me how to design a barrel cam (for example like in the butterfly valve actuator) to improve the initial torque generated by the movement ?
  43. A

    I What is the Purpose of Torque?

    From what I understand about torque, it is basically the power of the force to cause a change in an object's rotational motion. It is easier to cause this change when the force is applied further from the point of rotation than closer, which is why it is difficult to open a door by pressing a...
  44. T

    Power, Rpm, Torque - Horsepower increase for my small engine

    Hello all, the short story is, I am basically trying to get the same ( or a little more) “power” out of a larger lawn mower type gas engine ( vertical shaft) as one of the largest (120 ish cc) chainsaws ( ref the Stihl MS 880 or newer 881 at approx 10-12k rpm and 9 Hp) The parameters are : a...
  45. Z

    A Order of rotations due to torque in 3DOF in simulations

    Hi, I am running a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Supposed I have a symmetrical rigid body in space experiencing torque in the global x,y,z axes. It is stationary at t = 0. I also constrain it to only allow rotations in 3DOFs, and no translation. It will rotate and I need to...
  46. C

    Torque calculation for a compound pendulum

    I need to write an equation for Newton's second law for the above system, where k1=k2 (both springs are the same). The red line represents a bar with m=2kg, l=2m. I know that I*α = M1 + M2 + M3 If we displace the bar by x, we get the angle of displacement theta. M1=M2=-k*x I know that...
  47. Z

    Solving for Simple Harmonic Motion: A Picture Problem

    Here is a picture of the problem It is not clear to me how to really prove that the equation for ##\theta(t)## is simple harmonic motion, and what the period of this motion is.
  48. chris25

    Rotation and torque about an accelerating point

    A solution was provided: We take torques about point B. Note that τ = MgL/2 = Iα so α = (3g)/2L. Everything from here is straightforward. I don't understand why in this step, you can take torque about B without accounting for a fictitious force due to the acceleration of the Rod.Thanks for...
  49. Aaron Mac

    Torque needed to rotate a rack

    The weight of the rack is supported on an axial bearing as seen in the attached pdf below. I have made an attempt to calculate the torque by taking a look at the chain traction force and the required shaft power to make the plates rotate. For the moment of inertia case i don't know how to treat...
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