h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Actually, they're just called newtons.

Actually, they're called Newton metres (Nm). Kilogrammes measure mass, while Newtons are a measure of force - specifically the amount of force required to accelerate a mass of 1kg to a speed of 1m/s in 1s, i.e. 1N = 1kgm/s^2 (1 Newton equals 1 kilogramme-metre per second squared).

Torque is a measure of twisting force. Twisting forces are increased as the the distance from the pivot increases (take a see-saw as an example). Hence, the twisting force is given by the force applied multiplied by the distance from the pivot and is measured in Newton metres.

Sorry, I didn't think 2 years of being taught Mechanical Engineering had affected me that much! Ah well, I knew it would come in useful one day...

actually, thay (newtons) became newton metres when we went metric newton himself had his own system.