Newton-metre: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 10:40, 15 February 2025

Unit of torque in the International System of Units

Diagram illustrating the concept of a newton-metre.

The newton-metre (symbol: N_m) is the SI derived unit of torque (also called moment). It is equal to the torque resulting from a force of one newton applied perpendicularly to the end of a moment arm that is one metre long.

Definition[edit]

The newton-metre is defined as the torque that results when a force of one newton is applied at a perpendicular distance of one metre from the axis of rotation. Mathematically, it is expressed as:

\( \tau = F \times d \)

where \( \tau \) is the torque, \( F \) is the force in newtons, and \( d \) is the distance in metres from the axis of rotation.

Applications[edit]

The newton-metre is commonly used in various fields of engineering and physics to quantify the amount of torque applied to an object. It is particularly important in the design and analysis of mechanical systems, such as engines, gearboxes, and other rotating machinery.

Relation to other units[edit]

The newton-metre is dimensionally equivalent to the joule, which is the SI unit of energy. However, the newton-metre is used specifically for torque, while the joule is used for energy. This distinction is important because torque and energy are different physical concepts.

Conversion[edit]

In some contexts, torque may be expressed in other units such as pound-foot (lb_ft) or kilogram-metre (kg_m). The conversion between these units and the newton-metre depends on the conversion factors for force and distance:

1 N_m = 0.737562 lb_ft

1 N_m = 0.101972 kg_m

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Newton-metre''' ('''Nm''') is the [[International System of Units|SI]] unit of [[torque]] (also called "moment" in the physical sciences). It is a [[compound unit]] composed of the basic SI unit of force, the [[newton (unit)|newton]] (N), and the SI unit of distance, the [[metre]] (m). The Newton-metre measures the amount of rotational force, or torque, applied to an object which causes it to rotate around an axis. In mathematical terms, one Newton-metre is defined as the torque resulting from a force of one newton applied perpendicularly to a moment arm which is one metre long.
+{{Short description|Unit of torque in the International System of Units}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
+[[File:Newton-metre.png|thumb|right|Diagram illustrating the concept of a newton-metre.]]
+The '''newton-metre''' (symbol: '''N_m''') is the [[SI derived unit]] of [[torque]] (also called moment). It is equal to the torque resulting from a force of one [[newton]] applied perpendicularly to the end of a moment arm that is one [[metre]] long.
 ==Definition==
-The Newton-metre is a measure of torque (also called "moment"). Torque is a concept in physics that describes the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Mathematically, torque is defined as the cross product of the lever-arm distance and force, which tends to produce rotational motion. In equation form, torque (\(\tau\)) is defined as:
+The newton-metre is defined as the torque that results when a force of one newton is applied at a perpendicular distance of one metre from the axis of rotation. Mathematically, it is expressed as:
-\[\tau = r \times F\]
+: \( \tau = F \times d \)
-where:
+where \( \tau \) is the torque, \( F \) is the force in newtons, and \( d \) is the distance in metres from the axis of rotation.
-* \(r\) is the distance from the axis of rotation to the point where the force is applied (in metres),
-* \(F\) is the magnitude of the force applied (in newtons),
-* \(\times\) denotes the cross product, which means the torque is in the direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the direction of the force and the lever arm.
-==Units==
+==Applications==
-The unit of torque in the International System of Units is the Newton-metre (Nm). It is important to note that despite its name, the Newton-metre is not a unit of energy or work, even though it is dimensionally equivalent to the Joule, which is the SI unit of energy. The distinction lies in their physical concepts: while energy is a scalar quantity representing the capacity to do work, torque is a vector quantity representing the rotational effect of a force.
+The newton-metre is commonly used in various fields of [[engineering]] and [[physics]] to quantify the amount of torque applied to an object. It is particularly important in the design and analysis of [[mechanical systems]], such as engines, gearboxes, and other rotating machinery.
-==Applications==
+==Relation to other units==
-Torque is a fundamental concept in many fields of physics and engineering, especially in the study of mechanics. It is crucial in the design and function of many mechanical systems, including engines, gearboxes, and any system where rotational motion is present. For example, in automotive engineering, the torque output of an engine is a key parameter that determines its performance. In the field of structural engineering, understanding the torques applied to structural elements is essential for ensuring their stability and integrity.
+The newton-metre is dimensionally equivalent to the [[joule]], which is the SI unit of [[energy]]. However, the newton-metre is used specifically for torque, while the joule is used for energy. This distinction is important because torque and energy are different physical concepts.
-==Measurement==
+==Conversion==
-Torque can be measured using a variety of tools, such as torque wrenches, which are commonly used in mechanical engineering and automotive repair to ensure that bolts and nuts are tightened to the correct specification. More sophisticated tools, like torque sensors and dynamometers, are used in research and development to accurately measure the torque output of engines and motors.
+In some contexts, torque may be expressed in other units such as [[pound-foot]] (lb_ft) or [[kilogram-metre]] (kg_m). The conversion between these units and the newton-metre depends on the conversion factors for force and distance:
-==See also==
+: 1 N_m = 0.737562 lb_ft
-* [[Force]]
+: 1 N_m = 0.101972 kg_m
-* [[Lever]]
-* [[Moment of inertia]]
-* [[Rotational motion]]
-* [[Statics]]
-[[Category:Physics]]
+==Related pages==
-[[Category:Mechanical engineering]]
+* [[Torque]]
-[[Category:Units of measure]]
+* [[Newton (unit)]]
+* [[Metre]]
+* [[Joule]]
+* [[SI derived unit]]
-{{Physics-stub}}
+[[Category:Units of torque]]
+[[Category:SI derived units]]