Difference between Torque and Moment in Mechanical Engineering

In mechanical engineering, torque and moment are terms often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings:

Torque:

Torque is a measure of rotational force that causes an object to rotate around an axis. It is the product of force and distance from the axis of rotation. Torque is expressed in units of pound-feet or Newton-meters.

Moment:

Moment, on the other hand, refers to the tendency of a force to rotate an object around an axis. It is the product of force and the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line of action of the force. Moment is also known as a bending moment.

While torque is a specific type of moment related to rotational motion, moment can be associated with both rotational and linear forces.

Therefore, torque is specifically related to rotational motion, whereas moment is a more general term that can refer to both rotational and linear forces in mechanical engineering.