Torque & Levers

Force × distance

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Torque $\tau = F d_\perp$: the force times its perpendicular distance from the pivot.
• Balance: clockwise torques = anticlockwise torques ($m_1d_1 = m_2d_2$).
• Longer levers trade distance for force.

Steps

1. Opening a door
2. Torque
3. Balance the seesaw
4. Wrench
5. A slanted push
6. Pushing at an angle