Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A Newton-Meter is a unit used for measuring torque or work done. It represents the amount of force applied perpendicular to a lever arm multiplied by the length of that lever arm.
Related terms
Lever Arm: A lever arm refers to the perpendicular distance between an axis or pivot point and the line of action of a force applied to rotate an object.
In physics, work is defined as the transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied over a distance. It is calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the force by the displacement in the direction of the force.