Analysis: The twisting effect of a force

Here you’ll gain the words for describing twist, and the method for calculating it.

The general public has some idea of forces, but for them twist (or the related words moment or couple or torque) is a mystery.

It’s not really a difficult concept to grasp, but it does have wide-ranging implications. Once you’ve grasped it you’ll have expanded your understanding of the world. And you’ll have gained a vital part of ‘engineers’ eyes’.

Feel free to use the data we’ve supplied in the Downloads section below.

Talking points

• Where have you come across any of the terms for twist that were mentioned in the video (moment, torque), or the special twist called a ‘couple’ (which we’ll introduce later)?