Torque & Inertia

01Torque & Inertia

Torque

This section covers torque, perpendicular distance from an axis and the torque produced by a couple.

Turning effect about an axis

Torque, TT, describes the turning effect of a force about an axis of rotation.

T=FrT=Fr

Here FF is the applied force and rr is the perpendicular distance between the axis and the line of action of the force. Torque is measured in Nm\mathrm{N\,m}.

Single force

Fraxis

The distance in T=FrT=Fr is measured perpendicular to the force's line of action.

Couple

FFrraxis

A couple consists of equal, opposite forces. Their resultant force is zero, while their torques act in the same rotational sense.

Symmetrical couple

If each force is a perpendicular distance rr from the axis, the two moments add:

T=Fr+Fr=2FrT=Fr+Fr=2Fr

This arrangement can occur when equal opposite forces are applied on either side of a steering wheel.

Worked example: A tangential force of 12.0N12.0\,\mathrm{N} acts at the rim of a grinding wheel of diameter 0.13m0.13\,\mathrm{m}. Calculate the torque about its centre.

The radius is

r=0.132=0.065mr=\frac{0.13}{2}=0.065\,\mathrm{m}

so

T=Fr=12.0×0.065=0.78NmT=Fr=12.0\times0.065=0.78\,\mathrm{N\,m}

Exam Tip: Identify the perpendicular distance to the force's line of action. Do not automatically substitute the physical length of a lever or crank.

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