![]() The formula for torque involves measuring the lever arm at a perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line of the force (rotational inertia x rotational acceleration). It is also the figure used in all manufacturer advertising and literature. ![]() Net horsepower, on the other hand, is what you would find by testing the same type of vehicle on a showroom floor. With gross horsepower, they remove most loads from the engine before testing, including emission controls. The two standards for determining horsepower, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers, are net and gross. Horsepower is measured by entering the above-mentioned two numbers into a formula which is ‘torque times RPM divided by 5,252’. Torque is measured at various engine speeds or RPM (revolutions per minute). What this really means is that the dynamometer is measuring the torque output of the engine. How Do You Measure Horsepower?Ī vehicle’s engine horsepower is measured with a dynamometer which places a load on the engine and measures the twisting force of the engine crankshaft against the load. It is the twisting force that may or may not result in rotation. Torque is the equivalent of linear force and can be defined as “the rate of change of angular momentum of an object”. Torque is a rotating force produced by an engine’s crankshaft and more torque results in a greater ability to perform work. ![]() Digging a little deeper into mathematical terms – one horsepower is the required power to move 250 kg (550 lbs) one foot in one second or to move 15 000 kg (33 000 lbs) one foot in one minute. Put simply, the power that an engine produces is called horsepower which is defined as “the rate of doing work”. The adverts always talk about the impressive horsepower and torque but what exactly does that mean? What is the difference between horsepower and torque? They are mentioned in almost every advertisement especially when bigger cars are involved like bakkies, SUVs, vans and trucks. Anyone who has bought a car or seen adverts should have heard the terms horsepower and torque. ![]()
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