Torque
Torque, moment, moment of force or “turning effect” is the rotational equivalent of linear force. The concept originated with the studies of Archimedes on the usage of levers. Just as a linear force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist to an object. Another definition of torque is the product of the magnitude of the force and the perpendicular distance of the line of action of force from the axis of rotation. The symbol for torque is typically
τ
{displaystyle {boldsymbol {tau }}}
, the lowercase Greek letter tau. When being referred to as moment of force, it is commonly denoted by M.
In three dimensions, the torque is a pseudovector; for point particles, it is given by the cross product of the position vector (distance vector) and the force vector. The magnitude of torque of a rigid body depends on three quantities: the force applied, the lever arm vector connecting the origin to the point of force application, and the angle between the force and lever arm vectors. In symbols:
τ
=
r
×
F
{displaystyle {boldsymbol {tau }}=mathbf {r} times mathbf {F} ,!}
τ
=
‖
r
‖
‖
F
‖
sin
θ
{displaystyle tau =|mathbf {r} |,|mathbf {F} |sin theta ,!}
where
τ
{displaystyle {boldsymbol {tau }}}
is the torque vector and
τ
{displaystyle tau }
is the magnitude of the torque,
r is the position vector (a vector from the origin of the coordinate system defined to the point where the force is applied)
F is the force vector,
× denotes the cross product, which produces a vector that is perpendicular to both r and F following the right-hand rule,
θ
{displaystyle theta }
is the angle between the force vector and the lever arm vector.The SI unit for torque is N⋅m. For more on the units of torque, see Units.
Torque (noun)
A rotational or twisting effect of a force; a moment of force, defined for measurement purposes as an equivalent straight line force multiplied by the distance from the axis of rotation (SI unit newton metre or Nm; imperial unit [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound-foot_(torque) pound-foot] or lb·ft, not to be confused with the foot pound-force, commonly “foot-pound”, a unit of work or energy)
Torque (noun)
A tightly braided necklace or collar, often made of metal, worn by various early European peoples.
Torque (verb)
To twist or turn something.
Power (noun)
Ability to coerce, influence or control.
Power (noun)
Ability to affect or influence.
Power (noun)
Control or coercion, particularly legal or political (jurisdiction).
Power (noun)
The people in charge of legal or political power, the government.
Power (noun)
Effectiveness.
Power (noun)
An influential nation, company, or other such body.
Power (noun)
Physical force or strength.
“He needed a lot of power to hit the ball out of the stadium.”
Power (noun)
Electricity or a supply of electricity.
“After the pylons collapsed, this town was without power for a few days.”
Power (noun)
A measure of the rate of doing work or transferring energy.
Power (noun)
Any of the elementary forms or parts of machines: three primary (the lever, inclined plane, and pulley) and three secondary (the wheel-and-axle, wedge, and screw).
“the mechanical powers”
Power (noun)
In Christian angelology, an intermediate level of angels, ranked above archangels, but exact position varies by classification scheme.
Power (verb)
To provide power for (a mechanical or electronic device).
“This CD player is powered by batteries.”
Power (verb)
To hit or kick something forcefully.
Power (verb)
To enable or provide the impetus for.
Power (adjective)
Impressive.
Power (noun)
the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way
“his powers of concentration”
“the power of speech”
“I will do everything in my power to help you”
Power (noun)
the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events
“she had me in her power”
“a political process that offers people power over their own lives”
Power (noun)
political or social authority or control, especially that exercised by a government
“the party had been in power for eight years”
Power (noun)
authority that is given or delegated to a person or body
“police do not have the power to stop and search”
Power (noun)
the military strength of a state
“the sea power of Venice”
Power (noun)
a state or country, especially one viewed in terms of its international influence and military strength
“a great colonial power”
Power (noun)
a person or organization that is strong or influential within a particular context
“he was a power in the university”
Power (noun)
a supernatural being, deity, or force
“the powers of darkness”
Power (noun)
(in traditional Christian angelology) the sixth-highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy.
Power (noun)
denoting something associated with people who hold authority and influence, especially in the context of business or politics
“a red power tie”
Power (noun)
used in the names of movements aiming to enhance the status of a specified group
“gay power”
Power (noun)
physical strength and force exerted by something or someone
“the lyrical power of his prose”
“the power of the storm”
Power (noun)
capacity or performance of an engine or other device
“a surge of power from the engine”
Power (noun)
denoting a sports player, team, or style of play that makes use of power rather than finesse
“a power pitcher”
Power (noun)
the magnifying capacity of a lens.
Power (noun)
energy that is produced by mechanical, electrical, or other means and used to operate a device
“generating power from waste”
“power cables”
Power (noun)
electrical energy supplied to an area, building, etc.
“30,000 homes were left without power”
Power (noun)
driven by electrical energy
“a power drill”
Power (noun)
the rate of doing work, measured in watts or less frequently horse power.
Power (noun)
the product obtained when a number is multiplied by itself a certain number of times
“2 to the power of 4 equals 16”
Power (noun)
a large number or amount of something
“there’s a power of difference between farming now and when I was a lad”
Power (verb)
supply (a device) with mechanical or electrical energy
“a nuclear-powered submarine”
“the car is powered by a fuel-injected 3.0-litre engine”
Power (verb)
switch a device on or off
“the officer powered up the fighter’s radar”
Power (verb)
move or travel with great speed or force
“he powered round a bend”
Power (verb)
direct (something, especially a ball) with great force
“Nicholas powered a header into the net”