Horsepower vs Torque
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Instigator, moderator, same thing, isn't it?
Just be glad I didn't say BACON.
Just be glad I didn't say BACON.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: W. Wisc
Nothing arbitrary about it. It's physics, as many have stated:
F=ma Force = mass x acceleration (in pounds or Newtons)
W=Fd Work = Force x distance (in ft-lbs or N-m)
P= W/t Power = Work/time (in Horsepower or watts)
Torque is a force applied in a rotational direction which means, in essence, a force applied to rotate an object. It is essentially:
T=Fr Torque = Force x radius (length of arm) You will note this is similar to Work, but yet is not the same.
This is the part that everyone knows: If you are having trouble breaking loose a nut with a 12" wrench, you put a 3' pipe on it and it breaks (note I didn't say what breaks... :-)
That is because you increased the "r" in the equation so are applying more torque to the bolt/nut with the same force (F). In a vehicle, gearing has this same effect. We use Torque instead of force since the eninge turns a shaft as it's fundamental action, thus generating a torque.
Now the unit "horespower" is totally arbitrary, but it is still a measure of power.
-Dave
F=ma Force = mass x acceleration (in pounds or Newtons)
W=Fd Work = Force x distance (in ft-lbs or N-m)
P= W/t Power = Work/time (in Horsepower or watts)
Torque is a force applied in a rotational direction which means, in essence, a force applied to rotate an object. It is essentially:
T=Fr Torque = Force x radius (length of arm) You will note this is similar to Work, but yet is not the same.
This is the part that everyone knows: If you are having trouble breaking loose a nut with a 12" wrench, you put a 3' pipe on it and it breaks (note I didn't say what breaks... :-)
That is because you increased the "r" in the equation so are applying more torque to the bolt/nut with the same force (F). In a vehicle, gearing has this same effect. We use Torque instead of force since the eninge turns a shaft as it's fundamental action, thus generating a torque.
Now the unit "horespower" is totally arbitrary, but it is still a measure of power.
-Dave
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