What does torque represent in a physical context?

Torque represents the effect produced by a force that causes an object to rotate around an axis. In physics, torque is a measure of how much a force acting on an object causes that object to twist or rotate. It is calculated as the product of the force applied and the distance from the point of rotation (the lever arm) to the point where the force is applied. This pivot point is crucial because the same force applied at different distances can result in varying levels of rotation. Torque is essential in many physical applications, such as understanding how engines work, the mechanics of levers, and even the dynamics of athletic movements.

The other options describe different physical concepts. Mass refers to the quantity of matter in an object and does not relate directly to rotation. Speed points to how fast an object is moving in a straight line, not to its rotational characteristics. Inertia is a property of matter that describes an object's resistance to changes in its motion, but it does not directly account for the rotational effect of applying a force.