[roel_v]

I have a dumb question about this. Under the header 'Torque', where the wrench is introduced the first time, the length of vector F is non-linear with the position of the slider; in other words, the curve you see (that of the length of F) is not straight. Why is that? Torque is distance times force, where is the non-linear component? The article goes on to talk about the angle of the force, but that isn't relevant in that graph yet, is it? (meaning, that graphic seems to suggest we're talking only about a force perpendicular to the wrench?)

[progval]

Torque = distance×force, so force = torque/distance, so force is linear in 1/distance.

[roel_v]

Thanks, that makes sense. Once you start thinking about it, it's obvious (e.g. F can never go to 0), turns out I've always had a wrong mental model of how the length of a lever influences the torque (beyond 'longer lever = more torque' of course).

[adossi]

Loosening a bolt gets easier as you turn the wrench, no? I assumed thats what the diagram was showcasing

[roel_v]

Yes, but my idea was that pushing the wrench at distance x is double as hard as pushing it at distance x * 2; my understanding of the diagram is that it's not.