Torque is defined as the cross product of the position vector (r) and the force vector (F), represented mathematically as τ = r x F. This definition emphasizes the rotational effect of a force applied at a distance from a pivot point. The physical meaning of torque relates to how effectively a force can cause an object to rotate about an axis. While the cross product serves as a mathematical tool, its application in defining torque highlights the importance of both the magnitude of the force and its distance from the pivot. Understanding torque is crucial in fields such as physics and engineering, where rotational dynamics are analyzed.
