1. What is Torque?

Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object. It represents how much force is acting on an object to cause it to rotate around an axis. Torque is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the torque formula:

Where:

• \( T \) — Torque (Newton-meters, Nm)
• \( F \) — Force applied (Newtons, N)
• \( r \) — Lever arm distance (meters, m)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between force vector and lever arm (degrees)

Explanation: The sine function accounts for the component of force that is perpendicular to the lever arm, which is the only component that contributes to rotational motion.

3. Importance of Torque Calculation

Details: Torque calculations are essential in mechanical engineering, automotive design, robotics, and physics. They help determine the rotational force needed for various applications from simple wrenches to complex machinery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter force in Newtons, lever arm in meters, and angle in degrees. All values must be positive (force > 0, radius > 0, angle between 0-180 degrees).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is maximum torque?
A: Maximum torque occurs when the force is applied perpendicular to the lever arm (θ = 90°), where sin(90°) = 1.

Q2: What happens when θ = 0° or 180°?
A: When the force is parallel to the lever arm, torque is zero because sin(0°) = sin(180°) = 0.

Q3: What are common torque units?
A: Newton-meters (Nm) in SI units, foot-pounds (ft-lb) in imperial units, and kilogram-force meters (kgf·m) in metric units.

Q4: How does lever arm length affect torque?
A: Longer lever arms produce greater torque for the same applied force, which is why longer wrenches make it easier to loosen tight bolts.

Q5: Is torque the same as work?
A: No, torque is a rotational force while work is energy transfer. However, they share the same units (Nm) because work = torque × angle (in radians).