Moment of a force
Also: force moment, turning moment
The turning effect of a force about a chosen point or axis.
Moment is the cross product r×F; only perpendicular lever arm contributes, and sign follows the stated convention.
- Units
- newton-metre (N·m)
- Formula
M = r × F
Example 10 N applied 0.2 m perpendicularly creates 2 N·m.
Common misconception Although units match torque, a moment is not energy, and lever-arm direction matters.