| | Michael (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2){kind=small} masterkill) wrote, |
Horsepower, and torque
Can someone explain the difference between horsepower and torque? Despite well-intentioned efforts, I still don't get it. I think part of the problem is that it's always explained in terms of vehicle motors. So you have two, and one has more horsepower, and one has more torque? But ... I don't intuitively understand car motors! Is there some engine/motor/thing that that I'm familiar with that has a whole lot of torque, but hardly any horsepower? And a some engine/motor/thing that has a whole lot of horsepower and hardly any torque?
Anonymous
October 3 2005, 08:15:13 UTC 6 years ago
Horsepower, and torque
Horsepower (or its metric equivalent, kilowatt) will determine the top speed attainable by the device. Torque (which is a measure of the torsional power) will determine the rate of acceleration.The more horsepower, the faster you will be able to go.
The more torque, the faster you will be able to accelerate.
October 3 2005, 08:45:45 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Horsepower, and torque
Don't gears have a whole lot to do with this? A car in first gear can accelerate quickly but has a low top speed; the same car (i.e. same engine) in fifth gear has a higher top speed but accelerates slowly.