What is the formula to calculate torque?

The formula for calculating torque, also known as the moment of force, is defined as the product of force applied and the distance from the point of rotation to the line of action of the force. This relationship captures how effective a force is at causing rotation about an axis or pivot point. Specifically, torque is calculated by multiplying the amount of force applied by the perpendicular distance to the line of action of the force from the axis of rotation.

In practical terms, this means that when a force is applied at a distance from a pivot point, the farther away from the pivot the force is applied, the more torque is generated; hence the significance of the distance in the formula. This fundamental concept is widely used in mechanics, engineering, and physics to analyze rotational motion and the effects of forces.

The other choices, while they may relate to aspects of rotational dynamics, do not represent the correct and simplest expression for torque. Power divided by RPM relates to torque but requires additional context to apply; force and velocity do not correlate directly to torque without considering distance or other parameters; and radius and speed may also imply torque under certain conditions but do not provide a direct calculation like the force and distance relationship does.