Which term is used to describe a force that results in a rotational effect?

The term that describes a force resulting in a rotational effect is torque. Torque is defined as the measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. It depends on two key factors: the magnitude of the force applied and the distance from the pivot point to the point where the force is applied, known as the lever arm. This rotational effect is vital in various applications, including machinery, sports, and even the human body. By understanding torque, one can analyze how forces lead to rotation, such as how a wrench turns a bolt.

Friction, gravity, and inertia relate to forces but do not specifically deal with the rotational aspect. Friction is the force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact, while gravity refers to the attractive force between two masses. Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. Each of these plays a role in physics, but none describes the rotational effect induced by a force as torque does.