Torque/Power Question

[Big Boss]

I haven't seen an EASY explanation yet...

Horsepower is torque, and torque is horsepower. Torque is simply the amount of force, turning something. Horsepower is torque over a period of time.

Think of a Torque Wrench. You turn it at a certain amount of foot pounds, in order to tighten something. Horsepower is the amount of time turning it, and at what point in time, you are turning it the most.

More specifically, when you see those crazy graphs, with the curvy lines. That graph represents Torque:Horsepower Ratios.

Now, there is a bunch of stuff that relates horsepower to "time," but that's not important right now.

The most horsepower (time) is at a peak, and the most torque is at a peak. When you measure the two at the same RPM, that is the ratio.

Get it?

 

[AngloAmerican]

That's cool, AngAmerican. Glad we could help. I dont' say "no biggie" personally...my ex used to, tho. So i tend to associate "no biggie" as girly, which it aint at all; it's just what i think of when i hear it!

I find myself saying "no worries" or "no worry" alot. Guess since i'm a bit of a stoner, and that's the thing all the heads say..."no worries"--in other words--"let's procrastinate!" "Let's not get anything done!" Whateva.



Holden's examples are good too, he's basically illustrating the difference between high-torque/lower hp engines and lower torque/high hp engines (among other things). A diesel engine in your typical city bus or semi wont' have alot of horsepower, but they're packed with tons of torque...this is becasue it's more important for such a vehicle to simply move than it is to be super-fast in doing so.

A motorcyle engine, on the other hand, doesn't need much torque to get moving...there wont' be much weight to move...so they concentrate on revs and speed..what torque there is is being used for acceleration most of the time with this application.


dangit, now i'm getting complicated again....just trying to confuse you, Anglo!

Confuse Moia??...............

You did a good job on that didn't you?.

Thanks to everyone who posted the most difficult to understand descriptions of the whole torque and power question above. 👍

Being serious, thanks guys. Its kind of shed some light on the subject. And with the information given, i still think it will be a big help to me.

AngloAmerican