Andy Little writes: [...]
The serious point was that there is a relation between torque and energy, but they are distinct. and actually the relation is slightly more complicated than I stated, but I think that for a bolt of N turns and assuming a constant torque, the heat dissipated (in Joules) == applied_torque (in N.m) * N / (2 * pi).
OK, hold on here. Work = change in energy = force * distance. (Actually, the integral of force * infinetesimal displacement, but let's assume constant forces here.) Torque = radius * Force. (Actually, it's a cross product, but let's assume the force is always perpendicular to the lever arm.) Therefore, for a given torque, Force = Torque / radius. So, the work done (delta engergy) in applying a constant torque to your bolt is W = Force * distance = ( Torque * distance ) / radius. Now, if you turn the bolt N times, the distance you've moved the end of your lever arm (where you're applying the force) is distance = 2 * pi * radius * N. Plugging this in, W = (Torque * 2 * pi * radius * N) / radius or W = 2 * pi * N * Torque. [[ End of physics lesson ]] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave Steffen, Ph.D. Software Engineer IV Disobey this command! Numerica Corporation - Douglas Hofstadter dgsteffen at numerica dot us