Question 1

What is torque and how is it calculated?

Accepted Answer

Torque is a measure of rotational force. It's calculated using the formula T = F × r × sin(θ), where T is torque, F is the applied force, r is the distance from the pivot point, and θ is the angle between the force direction and lever arm.

Question 2

Why is angle important in torque calculations?

Accepted Answer

The angle determines how much of the applied force contributes to rotation. At 90°, all force contributes to torque (maximum efficiency). At 0° or 180°, no torque is produced because the force acts parallel to the lever arm.

Question 3

What's the difference between tangential and radial force?

Accepted Answer

Tangential force acts perpendicular to the lever arm and creates rotation (torque). Radial force acts along the lever arm toward or away from the pivot and doesn't contribute to torque, only affecting the structural load on the pivot.

Question 4

How do I maximize torque with a given force?

Accepted Answer

To maximize torque: 1) Apply force perpendicular to the lever arm (90° angle), 2) Increase the distance from the pivot point, and 3) Use the full magnitude of available force. These factors multiply together in the torque formula.

Question 5

What units are used for torque?

Accepted Answer

Common torque units include Newton-meters (N⋅m) in metric system and foot-pounds (ft⋅lbf) in imperial system. Other units include inch-pounds, kilogram-force meters, and dyne-centimeters depending on the application.

Question 6

How does torque relate to power?

Accepted Answer

Power is the rate of doing work and equals torque multiplied by angular velocity (P = τω). Higher torque at the same rotational speed means more power. This relationship is crucial in motor and engine applications.

Question 7

What is mechanical advantage in torque systems?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical advantage is the ratio of output force to input force, or the lever arm length ratio in lever systems. A longer lever arm provides greater mechanical advantage, allowing smaller input forces to generate larger torques.

Question 8

Can torque be negative?

Accepted Answer

Yes, torque can be positive or negative depending on the direction of rotation. By convention, counterclockwise rotation is often considered positive torque, while clockwise rotation is negative torque, following the right-hand rule.

Torque Calculator