Tension producing torque on a disk

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    Disk Tension Torque
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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that when a string is wrapped around a disk and pulled taut, the tension in the string generates torque through the friction force between the string and the disk. The normal force from the disk on the string does not contribute to torque production. Instead, it is the frictional force, multiplied by the radius of the disk, that effectively produces the torque necessary for rotation.

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kreutzer
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When a string is wrapped around a disk and pulled taut to rotate the disk, such as in a pulley, how can tension be the force producing the torque? Tension would only act upon the string next to the disk. I suppose there would be the normal force of the disk on the string, but that wouldn't produce a torque. Is there some other force involved?
 
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The friction force between string and disk (times the radius) generates the torque.
 

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