If apply some force on a pencil, it rolls and moves in a straight line but if apply some force on its edges or somewhere from the centre, it rotates by some angle. Can you please explain why does this phenomenon occur?
$ \vec{\tau} = \vec{r} × \vec{F}$ maybe a reason for this, according to me. When $\vec{r} = 0$ , torque will be zero too, so no rotation. (Is this explanation correct?) But what will be the position with respect to which we measure $\vec{r}$ here? I mean how is the axis defined?
