Torque is calculated by distance x force.

• A. False
• B. Only when perpendicular
• C. Distance x force
• D. Sum of vectors

Answer: (C)

Torque is the rotational effect a force has about a pivot. It grows with how long the lever arm is and with how large the force is, but the force also has to be directed to produce rotation. The exact magnitude is τ = r F sin θ, where r is the distance from the pivot to where the force is applied, F is the force magnitude, and θ is the angle between the lever arm and the force. When the force is perpendicular to the lever arm (θ = 90°), sin θ = 1 and τ = r F.

Saying torque is distance times force captures the essential dependence on lever arm length and force magnitude in a simple way, which is why this option is treated as the correct general description. The full expression, though, accounts for the angle via the sine factor. The other options don’t describe torque correctly: it isn’t simply the sum of vectors, and the “only when perpendicular” condition is true but too limited for the general case.