Wikipedia: Torque

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Torque (Physics) is the rate of change of [Angular Momentum]?. The units of torque are, coincidentally, the same as the units for energy. Energy and torque are distinct concepts, however, and are easily distinguished because energy is a Scalar? and torque is a Vector (more accurately, a pseudo-vector). If Τ is torque, then the net torque on a particle is:

∑Τ = dL/dt

where L is angular momentum. Using the defintion of angular momentum (L = r×p, where r is position and p is the momentum), torque is often written as:

Τ = r×F

but this only holds if the angle between p and r is constant and the length of r is constant. This happens fairly often whenever a solid body is rotating about an axis, and when forces are always directed along a radius from the origin (like the force due to gravity between the sun and the earth).

Another often used formulation for angular momentum yields yet another equation for torque. Angular momentum is often defined as Iω (where I is a tensor called the [Moment of Inertia]?, and ω is a vector called the angular frequency defined such that ω×r = v), and torque then becomes:

Τ = Iα = Idω/dt

This definition only works when I is constant (i.e. a free rotating solid body, or a solid body rotating at the end of a rod), and when this definition for L holds (it holds during fixed axis rotations of rigid bodies).

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 measured either in foot-pounds (English) or Newton-meters (metric, SI units). Its dimensional analysis units

are force * distance as distinct from energy with units distance * force.

The measurement of torque is important in automotive engineering, being concerned with the tranmission of power from the drive train to the wheels of a vehicle. It is also used where the tightness of bolts is crucial (see [Torque Wrench]?).

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A torque is also a name to describe a type of jewellery of twisted metal. These have been discovered in Britain and Europe during archaeological surveys; a notable and exquisite example was found at the [Sutton Hoo]? burial mound.