Difference between torque and couple

Torque and couple are key concepts often encountered by students studying mechanics. These terms also confused students most often because of the similarity between them. There are some similarities between torque and couple but there are noticeable differences too. The difference between them will be explained in this article. Let us check out points on the difference between torque and the couple discussed below. 

What is Torque?

The twisting force that causes motion is known as torque refers to the turning effect. The point of the rotation of the object is called the axis of rotation. The concept of torque originated with the studies by Archimedes when ideas of the usage of the levers.

What is a Couple?

In mechanics, a couple refers to two equal and opposite forces, whose line of action is different from a couple. The couple also called a force couple or pure moment.

Points on the difference between torque and couple: 

  • The couple is two equal but opposite forces applied on two different points where torque is the force applied on one point. 
  • The torque is produced due to a single force where a couple is produced due to two forces that are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction called, unlike parallel forces. 
  • A torque produces not only rotational motion but also a translational motion of the body in case of the free body but the couple always has a center of rotation. In a free body, a couple never produces translational motion.
  • A couple is called one when two equal but opposite forces cause a body to rotate but torque is the turning effect of the body caused by the couple. We can, therefore, conclude that torque is the special type of twist force that originates from a couple.

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Comments

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