Torque direction meaning. So torque, mathematically, is the cross product of the radial distance vector and a force vector. This cross product gives another vector that is orthogonal to both vectors and it points either outside or towards the "page" (in the context of a two dimensional diagram).
A point on the line of action closest to the reference location where torque is measured is found by The magnitude of torque is a measure of the perpendicular distance to the line of action, and the direction of torque is perpendicular to both the force direction and the location of the line of action.
I have only a rudimentary knowledge of Mechanics, but I do understand basic Linear Algebra. So torque, mathematically, is the cross product of the radial distance vector and a force vector.
The direction of the torque vector is found by convention using the right hand grip rule. If a hand is curled around the axis of rotation with the fingers pointing in the direction of the force, then the torque vector points in the direction of the thumb as shown in Figure 2.
Torque is inherently a vector quantity. Part of the torque calculation is the determination of direction. The direction is perpendicular to both the radius from the axis and to the force. It is conventional to choose it in the right hand rule direction along the axis of rotation.
CounterclockwiseCounterclockwise is the positive rotation direction and clockwise is the negative direction. For example, a torque that rotates an object counterclockwise is a positive torque (see figure 6 below).
If the position vector and the force are contained in the xy - plane then the torque is either along the +z - axis or along the -z - axis. These two situations are shown in the figures below. Practice the right hand rule to reproduce the direction of the torque vector shown in the figures.
0:181:34Direction of torque - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI align my fingers with the radius. And this is actually going to require that I rotate my wristMoreI align my fingers with the radius. And this is actually going to require that I rotate my wrist downwards like this because whenever I align my fingers with the radius.
The magnetic field B points to the right (→). Therefore the torque, τ = µ × B points into the plane (⊗). Use your right hand and point the thumb in the direction of τ. Then your fingers curl clockwise, meaning that the torque aims to reorient the needle in that direction.
0:475:52The Right Hand Rule for Torque - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCurl your fingers in the direction of the force then stick out the thumb of your right hand yourMoreCurl your fingers in the direction of the force then stick out the thumb of your right hand your right thumb indicates.
τ = (q E sinθ) d = q d E sinθ If the direction of an electric field is positive, the torque is in the clockwise direction (therefore negative) in the above figure.
axis of rotationBecause all rotational motions have an axis of rotation, a torque must be defined about a rotational axis. A torque is a force applied to a point on an object about the axis of rotation.