Torque Unit Converter

What is Torque?

Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object. It is a fundamental concept in physics and engineering, crucial in understanding the behavior of rotating systems, from engines to screws. Torque plays a vital role in numerous applications, from automotive engineering to construction and manufacturing.

Formula and Units

The basic formula for torque is:

\[\tau = r \times F\]

Where:

• \(\tau\) is torque
• \(r\) is the distance from the axis of rotation to the point where force is applied
• \(F\) is the force applied

Common torque units include:

• Newton-meter (N⋅m): The SI unit of torque
• Pound-foot (lb⋅ft): Commonly used in the United States
• Kilogram-meter (kg⋅m): An older unit still used in some contexts
• Ounce-inch (oz⋅in): Often used for smaller torque measurements
• Dyne-centimeter (dyn⋅cm): A CGS unit of torque

Calculation Steps

To convert between torque units, follow these steps:

1. Identify the initial and target units
2. Use the conversion formula: \(\tau_{target} = \tau_{initial} \times \frac{ConversionFactor_{initial}}{ConversionFactor_{target}}\)
3. Apply the appropriate conversion factors
4. Calculate and round the result to the desired precision

Example and Visual Representation

Let's convert 100 Newton-meters to pound-feet:

\[100 \text{ N⋅m} \times \frac{1 \text{ N⋅m}}{1.35581795 \text{ lb⋅ft}} = 73.756 \text{ lb⋅ft}\]

This diagram illustrates the concept of torque conversion. The blue line represents the torque arm, which remains constant regardless of the units used to measure it. The conversion demonstrates that 100 Newton-meters exerts the same rotational force as approximately 73.756 pound-feet.