Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Torque is the measure of how effectively a force can cause rotation or twist around an axis. It depends on both the magnitude and direction of the force applied.
Related terms
Moment Arm (Lever Arm): The perpendicular distance between the axis of rotation and where force is applied.
Center of Mass: The point where all mass can be considered concentrated for calculating rotational motion.
Equilibrium: A state where all forces acting on an object balance each other out, resulting in no net acceleration or rotation.