Torque
![](/Images/godic/202502/08/Torque_animation3236.gif")
![A particle is located at position r relative to its axis of rotation. When a force F is applied to the particle, only the perpendicular component F⊥ produces a torque. This torque τ = r × F has magnitude τ = |r| |F⊥| = |r| |F| sinθ and is directed outward from the page.](/Images/godic/202502/08/Torque,_position,_and_force.svg3236.png")
![Moment arm diagram](/Images/godic/202502/08/Moment_arm.svg3236.png")
![The torque caused by the two opposing forces Fg and −Fg causes a change in the angular momentum L in the direction of that torque. This causes the top to precess.](/Images/godic/202502/08/PrecessionOfATop.svg3236.png")
Torque, moment, or moment of force (see the terminology below) is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist to an object. Mathematically, torque is defined as the cross product of the position vector of the point where the force is applied (distance vector) and the force vector, which tends to produce rotation.