Torque and Chrome

Torque and tangential force?

I have no idea how to do this question - I've looked up tangential force, and its really confusing on the internet and there's nothing in my book. It's a new concept that we haven't learned yet in my class. Help would be much appreciated. =) Throughout an amusement park, it is evident that nuts, bolts and welding are major contributors to structural strength and safety. A nut is specified to be tightened to a torque of 20.0 Nm. a) If a bolt is 10.0 mm in diameter, what is the tangential force between the bolt and nut? b) If a 150.0 mm length wrench is used, what perpendicular force at the end of the wrench will achieve this torque? --- I think I know how to do b), but can someone check my work to make sure I did it right, because I'm really not sure. b) T = F x l F = T/l F = 20.00Nm/0.1500m F = 133.3 N

Public Comments

1. Not quite right. The specified torque T = fr = 20 N-m; where f is the tangential force at the bolt's radius r = .005 m; not at the wrench handle tip, which is what you just calculated. Thus, f = T/r = 20/.005 = 4000 Newtons.
2. a) F (0.005m) = 20.0 Nm; F = 4000N b) f ( 0.150m ) = 20.0 Nm ; f = 133 N