What does Revolutions per Minute (RPM) measure?

Revolutions per Minute (RPM) is a measure of rotational speed that indicates how many complete revolutions an object makes around a central axis in one minute. This measurement is crucial in many applications, particularly in engineering and manufacturing, where it is essential to know the speed of motors, wheels, and other rotating components. For instance, in machinery, higher RPM values typically indicate that a motor is operating more quickly, affecting its performance and the operations of the equipment it drives.

Understanding RPM is vital for optimizing processes and ensuring that machines operate within their intended speed range for safety and efficiency. The others, while related to motion, do not accurately define the concept of RPM. Distance traveled pertains to linear measures, torque refers to rotational force, and velocity describes the speed of an object in a specified direction but does not encompass the specifics of rotational movement quantified in RPM.