Torque (moment of a force):

The turning effect of a force is called torque or moment of the force.

$Torque \: \tau= F\times L$

Torque is a vector quantity and its direction can be found by using the right-hand rule.

 

Unit of torque:

The unit of torque is Nm.

 

Torque depends upon two factors

The torque or moment of a force depends upon the force F and the moment arm L of the force.

 

1. Magnitude of the force(F)

Greater is a force, greater is the moment of the force.

Τ $\propto$ F   ………………………………………. (i)

 

2. Moment arm

Similarly, the longer is the moment arm, the greater is the moment of the force.

Τ $\propto$ L    ………………………………………. (ii)