What is the difference between torque and power?

Hello esteemed colleagues,

Torque and power are both measures of an engine's or motor's performance, but they are different concepts that tell us different things. Here's a detailed yet simple explanation:

P = T × ω | T: 40 Nm ω: 20 rad/s P: 800 W

Torque ↔ Power Comparison

Torque (Nm)40

Angular Speed (rad/s)20

Power (W)800

Torque: Rotational force Speed: Angle per second Power: Rate of work

Torque

    What it is: Torque is the rotational force that an engine or motor produces. Imagine trying to open a tight jar lid; the force you apply to twist the lid is essentially torque.

    Units: Measured in Newton-meters (N·m) or pound-feet (lb·ft).

    When it's Important: Torque is crucial at lower speeds and helps to get a vehicle moving from a standstill. It's also important in situations requiring a lot of force, like pulling heavy loads.

    Simple Analogy: Think of torque as the "muscle" of an engine. More torque means the engine can do more "heavy lifting."

Power

    What it is: Power is the rate at which work is done, or equivalently, how fast torque is delivered. If torque is about "how much," power is about "how fast."

    Units: Measured in watts (W) or horsepower (hp).

    When it's Important: Power becomes more critical at higher speeds and for acceleration. It's what helps your car reach a high speed quickly.

    Simple Analogy: Think of power as the "speed" of an engine. More power means the engine can do the work more quickly.

Key Difference

    Torque gives you the "strength" or "muscle" to do work, but it doesn't tell you how quickly that work will be done.

    Power tells you how fast the work can be done. It's torque multiplied by the speed of rotation (RPM, or Revolutions Per Minute).

So, in a nutshell:

    Torque = "How much work can be done"
    Power = "How fast that work is done"

They are closely related but answer different questions about an engine's performance.

"Torque and motors that produce torque are present in every aspect of our lives, whether in electrical or mechanical forms. We've tried to answer the most frequently asked questions about the torque capacities of electric motors below.