# Difference between torque and moment

What is the difference between torque and moment? I would like to see mathematical definitions for both quantities.

I also do not prefer definitions like "It is the tendancy..../It is a measure of ...."

To make my question clearer:

Let $D\subseteq\mathbb{R}^3$ be the volume occupied by a certain rigid body. If there are forces $F_1,F_2,....,F_n$ acting at position vectors $r_1,r_2,...,r_n$. Can you use these to define torque and moment ?

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Possible duplicates: physics.stackexchange.com/q/16389/2451 and links therein. –  Qmechanic Feb 19 '13 at 13:16
I upvoted all answers. Since, I am getting different answers I accepted the one that seems most reasonable to me. –  Amr Feb 19 '13 at 18:53

The moment of a vectorfield $\vec{v}$ at a position $\vec{r}$ is equal to $$\vec{r}\times\vec{v}.$$ So torque is simply a special case where the vectorfield we look at is the force field, $\vec{v} = \vec{F}$. Another way of saying this is that torque is the moment of force.

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Thank you for referring to the big picture. The terminology looks alright for me. As far as I understood, this is just a redundancy in terms. I have been told before that torque is different from moment of a force. Is this true ? –  Amr Feb 19 '13 at 17:50
There might be some slight differences, but they probably stem from technical jargon (so no real physical difference). From what I've read (on this website among others), the term "torque" is usually preferred when speaking of the moment of a couple of forces (so when 'twisting' rather than 'rotating'). The term "moment" is used in any other general case. Personally I think it is an unnecessary distinction and source of confusion. I'm not a native English speaker and in my language we don't have this problem. :) –  Wouter Feb 19 '13 at 18:24
In addition, what is the moment of rotational velocity? It is linear velocity $\vec{v} = \vec{r}\times\vec{\omega}$. In fact, both forces and rotations act along a line, the position of which is given by $$\vec{r} = \frac{\vec{v}\times\vec{\omega}}{|\vec{\omega}|^2} \\ \vec{r} = \frac{\vec{\tau}\times\vec{F}}{|\vec{F}|^2}$$ Do you see the similarity? –  ja72 Nov 27 '13 at 18:54

While the formulas are similar, Torque relates to the axis of rotation driving the rotation, while moment relates to being driven by external force(s) to cause the rotation. Moment is a general term and when used in context of rotational motion is pretty much the same.
Torque is $\vec{F} \times \vec{r}$. As @Apurba said, $\sum{\vec{F}}$ may not be zero. Moment = Magnitude of Force x Perpendicular distance to the pivot.

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Torque is $\vec{F} \times \vec{r}$ but in this case $\sum{\vec{F}}$ may not be equal to zero. Where as in case of moment the two equal force acts in tow different side, So $\sum{\vec{F}} = 0$. I think this is the difference.

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Thus, every moment is a torque –  Amr Feb 19 '13 at 11:22

moment is turning effect produced by a force . while torque is due to rotation of body.

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Neither of these brief definitions provides enough detail to be useful in any way. –  Brandon Enright May 16 '13 at 7:05
and what's the difference between "turning" and "rotation" ? –  Amr Nov 8 '13 at 18:40

Moment is bending due to linear force and the distance from the axis is perpendicular whereas in torque rotation takes place beyond 360 degrees.

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## protected by Qmechanic♦Nov 27 '13 at 19:32

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