torsion
/'tɔ:ʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A twisting force: A force that causes an object to twist or rotate around an axis.
- The state of being twisted: The condition of something that has been twisted or the act of twisting.
Usage
- Torsion is primarily a technical term used in physics, engineering, and medicine.
- It describes the stress or deformation resulting from a twisting motion applied to an object like a rod, shaft, or biological structure.
Examples
- Noun:
- The engineer calculated the torsion on the metal shaft to ensure it wouldn't fail.
- Testicular torsion is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate surgery.
Advanced Usage
- "Torsion balance": A scientific instrument used to measure very small forces, such as gravitational or electric forces, by the twisting of a fiber or wire.
- Cavendish used a torsion balance in his famous experiment to measure the gravitational constant.
- "Angle of torsion": The degree or angle through which an object is twisted.
- The angle of torsion in the spring determines its restoring force.
Variants and Related Words
- Torsional (adj): Relating to or caused by torsion.
- The bridge was designed to withstand high torsional stress during earthquakes.
- Torsionally (adv): In a torsional manner.
- The beam was torsionally rigid.
Synonyms
- Twist: The act of twisting or the state of being twisted.
- Torque: A force that causes rotation; often used interchangeably with torsion in mechanics, though torque is the cause and torsion is often the effect or stress.
Related Phrases
- Torsion spring: A spring that works by twisting its axis.
- The clock's mechanism is powered by a torsion spring.
- Torsion field: A concept in some theoretical physics models.
Related Idioms
(This term is highly technical and does not commonly appear in idiomatic expressions.)
Noun
- a twisting force
- a tortuous and twisted shape or position
- they built a tree house in the tortuosities of its boughs
- the acrobat performed incredible contortions