What is the difference between a Newton and a Newton Meter?

Answer 1

A Newton meter is a device that measures force.

The simple ones that you typically see in high school laboratories use a spring that stretches or is compressed as a force is applied. They have an indicator needle that shows how much force is applied. See link below for a picture.

More sophisticated ones typically use load cells to more accurately measure the force.

Some people believe they were invented by Isaac newton but this is not the case. The SI unit of force is called a Newton in his honor. Since these meters measure force they are named after this unit.

There is sometimes confusion with a Newton Meter (note different spelling) which is the SI unit of torque. (Turning force.)

Answer 2

There are three different things that the phrase "Newton meter", all of them related to the unit of force called a "Newton":

A unit of energy also known as a Joule. When a force of 1 Newton is applied on an object for a distance of 1 meter then 1 Joule of energy is used. It is the result of a vector calculation involving the meter (a unit of length in the SI system) and the Newton (the unit of force in the SI system).

A unit of torque. (Turning force.) When a force of 1 Newton is applied at a distance of 1 meter from the pivot at right angle to the radius then a torque of 1 Newton Meter is present. It is the metric equivalent of lb ft.
A "Newton-metre" is a unit of torque or turning force. As described above it 1 Newton-metre (Nm) is equal to the turning force produced by 1N of force acting at right angles 1 m from the pivot point. It is a vector quantity.

A device that measures force. It is a meter that measures Newtons.

A "Newton meter" is a device that measures force. The most common design is a cylinder containing a spring inside. Objects can be attached to the spring by a hook. The force acting caused by the object causes the spring to expand. A gauge on the cylinder then shows how much force is acting on the meter.

For more information, see the Related Link section.

You should also note that the Joule is a scalar quantity while the Newton-metre is a vector which is why we don't use Nm when referring to energy, only when referring to Torque or Moment of a Force. Torque and turning force are not quite the same thing. A torque is the turning effect of a couple while a moment is the turning effect of a force.
"Newton" is a force. "Meter" is a distance. "Newton-meter" is 'work' or 'energy'.

It's the amount of work you do, or the amount of energy it takes, to push with

a force of 1 newton, and keep pushing until you've moved 1 meter.

In English units:

It's the amount of energy it takes to lift 11.8 ounces 1 foot straight up off the table.

Answer 3

A Newton meter is a device that measures force.

The simple ones that you typically see in high school laboratories use a spring that stretches or is compressed as a force is applied. They have an indicator needle that shows how much force is applied. See link below for a picture.

More sophisticated ones typically use load cells to more accurately measure the force.

Some people believe they were invented by Isaac newton but this is not the case. The SI unit of force is called a Newton in his honor. Since these meters measure force they are named after this unit.

There is sometimes confusion with a Newton Meter (note different spelling) which is the SI unit of torque. (Turning force.)

Answer 4

There are two different, and quite unrelated, meanings.

1. Newton x meter is the unit of work, which can basically be understood as a transfer of mechanical energy. Thus, energy is also used in newton-meters, commonly called joules.

2. Newton x meter is the unit for torque (which can be considered the equivalent of force, in the case of rotational movements). This is entirely unrelated to energy or work; to avoid confusion with energy, it is always called newton-meters, never "joules".

Answer 5

"Newton" is a unit of force.

"Newton-meter" is a unit of energy. It's the energy expended by a force of one newton

acting through a distance of one meter.

Answer

A newton is the SI unit for force.

A newton metre is the SI unit for torque.

Answer 6

Newton is a force. If you multiply Newtons times meters, you get an energy. The unit is also known by the name Joule, or watt-second. Multiplying Newtons times meters can also give you a torque (not related to energy).

Answer 7

It measures torque.

Answer 8

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