Newton meter as a unit of energy is not the same as the newton meter unit of force for torque.

The energy unit meter is distance moved, while the force unit meter is the length of the moment arm.

This is confusing even though valid, so the energy unit version is rarely used.

You can exert newton meters of force while using no energy, say by standing on a lug nut wrench allowing gravity to exert the force indefinitely unless the nut breaks loose.

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hunter2_ 3 hours ago | parent [-]

Ah! I guess that explains the "f" for "force" in the imperial abbreviation "ft-lbf", to distinguish it from work. I wonder if there's ever been an analogous variant for metric such as "Nmf"...

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gpm 2 hours ago | parent [-]

Hmm, I thought lbf was to distinguish the force unit from the mass unit (1 lbf = G * 1lb mass)

	▲	hunter2_ an hour ago \| parent [-]
		It seems the common thread is that the f means to introduce G, but not exactly. In my own research, the AI summaries are about as sloppy as I've ever seen, due to the vague and often regional differences (with the difference between ft-lb and lb-ft sometimes being described as relevant, as well).