Question

What exactly is torque?

Answer 1

Torque is essentially force related to the fact that object is turning about a point. Think of when a mechanic is working on your car, and he uses a wrench to tighten a bolt, that "twisting" is torque

Answer 2

Torque is to rotation what forces are to linear motion.

Answer 3

Torque is simply a moment. A moment is a Force multiplied by the perpendicular distance from the reference origin to the point of application of the force. This is different from Work in that Work is a force multiplied by the distance through which the force is applied. For example if you are to open a door, the torque is the force you use at the door handle multiplied by the distance from the hinge to the door handle. This would be the torque on the hinge. I hope that helps.