kiertomoment

Kiertomomentti, often translated as torque or moment of force, is a concept in physics that describes the tendency of a force to cause rotation around an axis or pivot point. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The magnitude of kiertomomentti is determined by the magnitude of the applied force, the distance from the pivot point to where the force is applied (often called the lever arm), and the angle between the force vector and the lever arm. Mathematically, kiertomomentti is calculated as the cross product of the position vector from the pivot to the point of force application and the force vector itself.

The unit of kiertomomentti in the International System of Units (SI) is the newton-meter (Nm). A larger kiertomomentti will result in a greater angular acceleration of an object. For example, when tightening a bolt with a wrench, a larger force applied further from the bolt will create a greater kiertomomentti, making it easier to turn the bolt. Conversely, applying a force closer to the pivot point or at an angle that is not perpendicular to the lever arm will result in a smaller kiertomomentti.

Kiertomomentti is a fundamental principle in mechanics and is crucial for understanding the behavior of rotating objects, such as wheels, engines, and gears. It is also relevant in fields like engineering, where it is used in the design of machinery and mechanical systems. The concept is closely related to angular momentum and rotational kinetic energy.