The tendency to cause a rotation is measured as the torque. the torque (τ, lowercase greek tau) depends both on the magnitude of the force (f) and on a distance called the lever arm (ℓ). as a formula, τ = fℓ. the units for torque are newton*meters (n*m) the most straightforward torque calculation involves a force that is applied perpendicular to a board which has a hinge at one end (the board will rotate around the hinge). in the following example a force of 78.0 n is applied perpendicular to the board at a distance 1.26 m from the hinge. what is the magnitude of the torque?