vridmomentets

Vridmomentet, in Swedish commonly referred to as torque, is the rotational effect produced by a force acting at a distance from an axis of rotation. The possessive form vridmomentets appears in phrases describing this quantity, such as vridmomentets storlek (the magnitude of the torque). In physics and engineering, torque is the moment of a force that tends to rotate an object around a pivot or axis.

The formal definition of torque is τ = r × F, where r is the lever arm from the axis to the point of force application and F is the force. The magnitude is τ = r F sin θ, with θ the angle between r and F. The direction of the torque is along the rotation axis, determined by the right-hand rule, making torque a vector quantity in many analyses.

Torque is related to angular motion through dynamics. For a rigid body, τ = I α, where I is the moment of inertia and α is the angular acceleration. Mechanical power delivered by torque is P = τ ω, with ω the angular velocity. The unit of torque in the International System is the newton-meter (N·m).

Measurement and practical use: torque is commonly measured with torque wrenches, dynamometers, or through calibrated electrical sensors. In design, torque influences component sizing, gearing, and power transmission. Real-world examples include automotive engines, bicycle drivetrains, robotic joints, and industrial machinery, where peak torque and continuous torque can differ significantly.

Notes: torque should not be confused with force or speed alone; it is the rotational equivalent of force, and its effects depend on the lever arm and the system’s inertia and geometry.