Torque | |
---|---|
Common symbols | , M |
SI unit | N⋅m |
Other units | pound-force-feet, lbf⋅inch, ozf⋅in |
In SI base units | kg⋅m2⋅s−2 |
Dimension |
Part of a series on |
Classical mechanics |
---|
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.