What is the measure of torque in mechanical systems?

Torque in mechanical systems is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object. It quantifies how much a given force can cause an object to rotate around an axis. The standard unit of torque in the International System of Units (SI) is the Newton-meter.

A Newton-meter represents the torque resulting from a force of one Newton applied at a perpendicular distance of one meter from the axis of rotation. This unit provides a clear and consistent measurement that allows engineers and technicians to calculate and compare torque values efficiently across different mechanical applications.

While pound-feet is also a legitimate measurement of torque, it is more commonly used in the imperial system and not in the SI system, which makes Newton-meters the preferable and widely recognized unit of measurement in scientific and engineering contexts. Joules are units of energy, not directly applicable to torque. Kiloponds are a unit of force, but like the pound-foot, they do not provide a standardized measure of torque in the context of rotational mechanics. Thus, the use of Newton-meters aligns with standardized practices in engineering relating to torque measurements.