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Difference between Torque and Moment | Important Points

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Difference between Torque and Moment

Definition of Torque

  • Torque is defined as the measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis.
  • Torque causes angular acceleration, in the same way as force causes linear acceleration. so, torque can be defined as the rotational equivalent of linear force.
  • Generally, torque refers to the twisting force that causes rotation and it also refers to the turning effect.
  • It is used to measure coupling.
  • When two equal and opposite forces act together and cause an object to rotate or turn, there is coupling.
  • An example is the force applied by the hand on a screwdriver.
  • This moment of a coupling is called a torque.
  • Its symbol is the Greek letter “tau,” and its International System of Units (SI) unit is also the Newton meter, the same as moment. This equation can be represented as the vector product of force and position vector.
  • It is presented as “Nm/revolution” and is an application of moment.
  • Torque is a vector quantity.

Definition of Moment

  • Moment is a concept of physics and engineering that refers to the tendency of a force to move an object.
  • It is a measure of the tendency of the force to rotate an object at an axis through a point.
  • It is the perpendicular distance from the point of rotation to the force’s line of action.
  • It can be calculated at any point, and its value is the result of the force and the moment arm. Its symbol is the letter “M,” and the Newton meter (Nm) is its International System of Units (SI) unit. It is represented as “NM.”

Difference Between Torque and Moment

While moment is a static force, is produced by any lateral force, and is used in non-rotational circumstances, torque is a movement force and is used when there is a pivot.

TorqueMoment
It is the measurement of the turning force of an objectIt is the measurement of the perpendicular distance from the point of rotation to the force’s line of action
The symbol of torque is tau and SI unit is Nm/revolutionThe symbol of the moment is M and SI unit if NM
It is a movement-related forceIt is a static force
Torque is used to measure the couplingThe moment is not used for this purpose
It is used where there is an availability of a pivot and rotationIt is produced by any lateral force and used in non-rotational events
It is referred to the nature of the force to rotate the object in a pivot.It is referred to the nature of the force to move the object.

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