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How do torques make a door swing open?

Quick Answer

Torque is the turning effect of a force. Pushing far from a door hinge creates more torque than pushing near the hinge, so the door opens more easily.

The Full Story

Torque depends on both the size of the force and how far that force is applied from the pivot point. On a door, the hinge is the pivot. If you push at the handle, you apply more torque because the distance from the hinge is larger. This is why long wrenches make bolts easier to turn and why bicycle pedals and steering wheels are designed with leverage in mind. Torque is a central concept in rotational mechanics and engineering.

Key Facts

1.Torque is force times lever arm distance
2.Pushing at the handle gives more torque than pushing near the hinge
3.Torque is measured in newton-meters

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"Why is it easier to open a door at the handle?"

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