Torque

Front

Torque Noun

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[tork]

Back

Torque

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A measure of the turning effect of a force, representing the rotational equivalent of linear force on an object.

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Example: This diagram shows how a force, like steam, pushes on the blades of a turbine, causing the central shaft to rotate. This turning effect is torque.

Front

Moment of a force Noun

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[moh-ment uv uh fors]

Back

Moment of a force

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A quantity that describes the turning effect of a force around a pivot or axis; it is synonymous with torque.

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Example: A seesaw is balanced because the turning effects (moments) on both sides are equal; a smaller force at a larger distance balances a larger force.

Front

Axis of rotation Noun

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[ak-sis uv roh-tey-shuhn]

Back

Axis of rotation

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The fixed line or point around which a rigid body is constrained to rotate, such as the hinge of a door.

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Example: This diagram shows a rocket with three imaginary lines called axes of rotation (Yaw, Pitch, and Roll), demonstrating how an object can turn around a central line.

Front

Lever arm Noun

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[lev-er ahrm]

Back

Lever arm

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The perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line along which an external force is applied to an object.

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Example: This diagram shows the lever arm is the perpendicular distance from the pivot (axis of rotation) to the line along which a force is applied.

Front

Net torque Noun

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[net tork]

Back

Net torque

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The vector sum of all individual torques acting on an object, determining its resulting angular acceleration and rotational motion.

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Example: A balanced seesaw shows zero net torque. The clockwise turning effect (torque) from one child equals the counter-clockwise torque from the other, preventing rotation.

Front

Tau (τ) Noun

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[tou]

Back

Tau (τ)

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The Greek letter symbol commonly used in physics equations to represent the quantity of torque or moment of a force.

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Example: This image shows the parts of a circle, relating to the mathematical constant tau (τ = 2π), not the physics concept of torque.

Front

Newton-meter (N·m) Noun

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[noo-tuhn mee-ter]

Back

Newton-meter (N·m)

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The standard SI unit for measuring torque, derived from the product of force in Newtons and distance in meters.

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Example: Applying a force (in Newtons) at a distance (in meters) from a pivot point creates a turning effect called torque, measured in Newton-meters.

Front

Clockwise Adjective

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[klok-wayz]

Back

Clockwise

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The direction of rotation that follows the movement of a clock's hands, conventionally assigned a negative sign in torque calculations.

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Example: This image of a toy clock shows that the hands move in a specific direction, from the number 1 to 2 to 3, which is called the clockwise direction.

Front

Counterclockwise Adjective

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[koun-ter-klok-wayz]

Back

Counterclockwise

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The direction of rotation opposite to a clock's hands, conventionally assigned a positive sign in torque calculations.

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Example: This image shows that counterclockwise is the direction of rotation opposite to the way a clock's hands move, a key concept for determining the direction of torque.

Front

Pivot Noun

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[piv-uht]

Back

Pivot

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The central point, pin, or fulcrum on which a mechanism turns, oscillates, or rotates; often the axis of rotation.

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Example: A door hinge acts as a pivot, which is the fixed point around which the door rotates when a force is applied to open or close it.