Torque

Torque
Relationship between force F, torque τ, linear momentum p, and angular momentum L in a system which has rotation constrained to only one plane (forces and moments due to gravity and friction not considered).
Common symbols
, M
SI unitN⋅m
Other units
pound-force-feet, lbf⋅inch, ozf⋅in
In SI base unitskg⋅m2⋅s−2
Dimension

In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational analogue of linear force.[1] It is also referred to as the moment of force (also abbreviated to moment). The symbol for torque is typically , the lowercase Greek letter tau. When being referred to as moment of force, it is commonly denoted by M. Just as a linear force is a push or a pull applied to a body, a torque can be thought of as a twist applied to an object with respect to a chosen point; for example, driving a screw uses torque, which is applied by the screwdriver rotating around its axis. A force of three newtons applied two metres from the fulcrum, for example, exerts the same torque as a force of one newton applied six metres from the fulcrum.

  1. ^ Serway, R. A. and Jewett, J. W. Jr. (2003). Physics for Scientists and Engineers. 6th ed. Brooks Cole. ISBN 0-534-40842-7.