The term 'torque' relates to which engine concept?

• A. Rotational force
• B. Linear speed
• C. Fuel consumption
• D. Combustion temperature

Answer: (A)

Torque is the turning effect a force has around a pivot. In an engine, combustion pressure pushes the piston, and the connecting rod pushes on the crankshaft at a distance from the crank’s center. This creates a twisting, or rotational, force on the crankshaft—the torque. That rotational force is what drives the engine to turn the crank and do work, especially powering the wheels through the drivetrain. It’s different from linear speed (which is how fast something moves in a straight line), fuel consumption (how much fuel is used), or combustion temperature (how hot the burning gases get).