Newtonméter

newtonméter is a unit of torque in the International System of Units (SI). Torque is a twisting force that tends to cause rotation. It is defined as the product of a force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot point to the line of action of the force. Therefore, one newtonméter is equivalent to the torque produced by a force of one newton acting at a distance of one méter from the axis of rotation.

The unit is commonly used in physics and engineering to measure rotational quantities. For example, it is used to specify the torque output of an engine or the tightness of a bolt. While the unit is composed of newtons and méters, it is important to distinguish it from méternewton, which is a unit of work or energy. Work is a scalar quantity and is the product of force and distance moved in the direction of the force. Torque, on the other hand, is a vector quantity and represents a rotational effect.

In practice, the newtonméter is a widely accepted standard for measuring torque. Other units for torque include the pound-foot (lb-ft) and the kilogram-force méter (kgf·m), though the newtonméter is the SI-defined standard. When specifying torque values, it is crucial to use the correct unit to avoid confusion and ensure accurate engineering calculations and applications.