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how is direction of torque is determined?

 

Hi,
Torque is a vector quantity. Mathematically it is defined as cross product of radius and force vector i.e.

 

Where symbols have their usual meaning
To find the direction of torque we will use right hand curl rule. The rule says,  let the radius be your fingers making 90 degrees with the palm then the thumb will point in the direction of the moment and the rotation will follow your fingers.
In simple words, place your fingers in the direction of radius vectors and then curl (rotate) your fingers in the direction of applied force, now the direction in which your thumb points will be the direction of torque.

 

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 torque is inherently a vector quantity. Part of the torque calculation is the determination of direction. The direction is perpendicular to both the radius from the axis and to the force. It is conventional to choose it in the right hand rule direction along the axis of rotation. The torque is in the direction of the angular velocity which would be produced by it in the absence of other influences. In general, the change in angular velocity is in the direction of the torque.

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