Torque & Moment-Arm Explorer

Change force, distance from the pivot, and force angle. See why torque depends on the perpendicular moment arm.

Torque, τ+25.0 N·m
Moment arm, d⊥0.50 m
Perpendicular force, F⊥+25.0 N
Maximum |τ|50.0 N·m
Rotation tendencyCCW ↺

Parameters

50 N
Torque is proportional to force.
1.00 m
Distance to the point where the force is applied.
+30°
Positive → counterclockwise; negative → clockwise.
τ = rF sinθ = Fd⊥,    d⊥ = r|sinθ|
At θ = 30°: Only the perpendicular effect of the force turns the lever.

Lever, force, and moment arm

pivot r = 1.00 m F = 50 N θ = 30° d⊥ = 0.50 m τ: CCW
applied force position vector r moment arm d⊥ line of action
Signed torque
Clockwise (−)0Counterclockwise (+)
Predict before moving a slider

Keep F and r fixed. At what angle is torque maximum? At what angle is it zero?