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Foot Pounds Formula:
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Foot pounds (ft-lb) is a unit of measurement for torque or energy. In torque applications, it represents the rotational force applied at a distance of one foot from the pivot point. In energy contexts, it measures the work done when a force of one pound moves an object one foot.
The calculator uses the simple formula:
Where:
Explanation: The calculation multiplies the force applied by the distance from the pivot point to determine either the torque generated or the work/energy expended.
Details: Foot pounds are commonly used in mechanical engineering, automotive applications (torque specifications), physics calculations, and various industrial settings where rotational force or energy measurements are required.
Tips: Enter the force in pounds and distance in feet. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will instantly compute the foot pounds result.
Q1: What's the difference between foot pounds for torque and energy?
A: While the unit is the same, torque foot pounds represent rotational force, while energy foot pounds represent work done. The context determines the interpretation.
Q2: Can I use this for metric measurements?
A: This calculator uses imperial units. For metric measurements, you would use Newton-meters (N·m) instead of foot pounds.
Q3: How precise should my measurements be?
A: For most applications, measuring force to the nearest pound and distance to the nearest inch (converted to feet) provides sufficient accuracy.
Q4: Why is distance important in torque calculations?
A: Torque increases with distance from the pivot point. This is why longer wrenches provide more turning force with the same amount of effort.
Q5: Are foot pounds and pound-feet the same thing?
A: Yes, these terms are interchangeable and represent the same unit of measurement.