Power vs Torque - In Depth Explanation and Mythbusting!

Today, we are looking at Power, Torque and the arguments on the internet over them. I'm not the first person to cover power vs. torque, but I'd like to think this is the most comprehensive video explanation out there.

[ss]

Best video on the internet about power and torque. Detailed explanation from an engineering point of view. - Engg. Student

[Nounooon]

How come your videos get so little views? You are a gold mine of information I hope other viewers realize it!

[avianmotors]

Nicely done! I have been watching a bunch of these "Power vs. Torque" videos and this is the best, by far!

[maxjtj]

If any body tries explaining torque and horsepower like, "torque is how hard you accelerate and power is top speed" or "power is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you bring the wall with you", they have absolutely no grasp of the simple concepts of torque and power. I have not yet seen someone who has set the torque vs power thing straight until this video Kyle. Good to know some people aren't completely clueless.

[KYLEENGINEERS]

If anyone uses the "power is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you" line again after this I don't even know what I'll do...

Enjoy the video!

[srinitaaigaura]

The thing about torque and HP is that torque must always be taken together with engine speed (rpm) to make sense -- it is this COMBINATION that tells you HOW the horsepower is delivered. So if you see the formula, either you can choose more acceleration at low rpm (a tractor engine) or less acceleration but higher rpm (a motorcycle engine). That's why gears were invented -- we didn't have enough torque at low speed at the wheel and that's why a hybrid Koenigsegg Regera used electric motors to get rid of the gearbox.

Gearing can take 2 different engines with same HP and make them perform similarly on the same car provided their torque curves look similar because the combination of wheel speed and wheel torque is what matters.

If the rpm is the same, the engine with higher torque is producing proportionately more horsepower and this is why diesels feel "torquey" -- it is simply more torque and therefore more HP available at lower speed compared to a petrol engine (assuming similar gearing) and why petrol engines rev higher.

A HP vs rpm curve is good for comparing 2 engines, but a torque vs rpm will tell you how that engine will behave over the rev band.

[davidmann]

Thank you! This is the video I was looking for. Connects power and torque to acceleration and gear ratios.

[gregory.chalenko]

I'm gonna link this video each time the question arises. Perfect explanation!

[OhmymodsUk]

Best explanation I have ever seen so far! Good Videos, Keep going!

[AJBtheSuede]

Just found the channel - not that it says anything very new to me (except the interesting insights in fluid dynamics/aeordynamics, which I only know very superficially) being a math/physics major, but it's very nice to see material out here that actually tries to voice information that can actually be proven.
Most YT/FB "knowledge" today seems to be based on the misconception many people seem to grow up with now: That when many people say the same thing very loudly, it is inherently true. No matter how wildly incorrect they are.

[matthewimposter]

I've been trying to explain this to people for years. Thanks for taking the trouble to make this video.

[chrisarnold]

Kyle, beautiful explanation! You're right that the vast majority cannot get this concept right, and it makes me feel so much better to see someone who gets it!

If I may offer very slight suggestion, I would say that what's under the torque curve is meaningful and represents the power that is produced. It's torque (y-axis) * rpm(x-axis), and as we know torque * RPM is power. What's under the power curve is not meaningful (hp*rpm or tq*rpm^2/5252).

[berg]

Awesome mate - please keep these videos up - very much appreciated :)

[MrPaperjazz]

Brilliant explanation! Was thinking for years of doing one like this since there is so much confusion around.

P.S. Motorsport engineer too ;)

[drienkm]

Excellent video!! I'll be directing allot of people your way:) I have two videos on the subject of power and torque, and for those who really want to get it, I love the challenge of figuring out where those deep rooted misconceptions lie through a threads of carefully written replies.
This is another of the few power and torque videos out there that use correct conceptual presentation, precise language, and still presents the concept in a concise and unintimidating way!! Thanks for making the internet a better place:)

[mrf]

Thanks. Could've used this video years ago when I was still in the mood to battle idiots on the internet. Another thing I like to mention during this is that Power is the Rate of Energy Transfer. Anyway, well explained video and thank you. If this comes up again, I can just copypasta the link to this video.

[vadimu]

No dislikes! That's the best proof of good quality. Well done!

[aiquelindo]

Thank you for this video. Yes, teachers must be patient. From the comments below, it seems most people didn't go to school or they forgot what they learned in high school:

TORQUE is a FORCE (rotational in nature, also called moment). (N.m).
Forces produce WORK or ENERGY (J).
POWER is a measure of the rate of production of Energy (J/s or W).

[Phos]

If you want to see this in action, tfl truck did one of their Ike gauntlet tests with a pair of titan XDs, one with the gas and one with the Diesel engine. The gas engine was considerably faster. Diesel engines being good for towing has more to do with longevity and fuel efficiency than torque being better for towing.

Torquey engines are also good for off-road, like tight trail with obstacles off road, because it allows you to avoid having to cut power to shift if you're climbing a steep hill, for example.

[levarish]

The best video i have seen in this topic, thank you