A force that causes an object to rotate about a point is known as?

The correct choice is torque, as it specifically refers to the rotational equivalent of linear force. Torque is the measure of how much a force acting on an object causes that object to rotate around a pivot point or axis. The effectiveness of a torque is determined not only by the magnitude of the force applied but also by the distance from the pivot point at which the force is applied, known as the moment arm. This relationship means that the same force can create different amounts of torque depending on where and how it is applied.

In contrast, the other terms do not capture the rotational aspect. A moment can sometimes refer to similar concepts, particularly in engineering, but torque is the more precise term for the force causing rotational motion. Force simply refers to any interaction that can cause an object to change its state of motion but does not imply rotation. Gravity is a natural phenomenon that exerts a force on objects but does not specifically describe how that force leads to rotation about a point. Thus, torque is the most accurate term for describing the force that leads to rotation.