ELASTIC TORQUE

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Elastic torque (sometimes referred to as stiffness) is the restoring torque generated by an elastic element when it is angularly deformed. It is a rotational force that tends to bring the system back to its equilibrium position. Thus, when a spring is twisted by an angle θ, it develops a torque proportional to this deformation:

  • M = elastic torque (N·m)

  • C = torsional stiffness (N·m/rad)

  • θ = angular displacement (rad)

In a balance wheel–hairspring system:

  • The hairspring is deformed when the balance wheel moves away from the neutral point.

  • It generates a restoring elastic torque.

  • This torque brings the balance wheel back toward its equilibrium position.

It is this elastic torque that: