1. What is Torque?

Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object. It's the product of the force applied, the distance from the pivot point (lever arm), and the sine of the angle between the force vector and the lever arm.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the torque formula:

Where:

• \( \tau \) — Torque (N·m)
• \( F \) — Force applied (N)
• \( r \) — Distance from pivot (m)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between force and lever arm (degrees)

Explanation: The formula calculates the rotational force by considering both the magnitude of the force and its effective component perpendicular to the lever arm.

3. Importance of Torque Calculation

Details: Torque is crucial in mechanical systems, automotive engineering, and physics. It determines how effectively a force can rotate an object about an axis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter force in newtons, distance in meters, and angle in degrees (0-180). The angle defaults to 90° (maximum torque). All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between torque and force?
A: Force causes linear acceleration, while torque causes angular acceleration (rotation).

Q2: Why does angle affect torque?
A: Only the perpendicular component of force contributes to rotation. At 0° or 180°, torque is zero as force is directly toward/away from pivot.

Q3: What are common torque units?
A: Newton-meters (N·m) in SI, pound-feet (lb·ft) in imperial units.

Q4: How does distance affect torque?
A: Torque increases linearly with distance - longer lever arms multiply the rotational effect.

Q5: What's an example of torque in daily life?
A: Using a wrench - you apply force at a distance from the bolt to create rotational force.