How can torque be increased in a mechanical system?

Increasing torque in a mechanical system can effectively be achieved by increasing the applied force. Torque, defined as the rotational equivalent of linear force, is calculated as the product of the force applied and the distance from the axis of rotation (lever arm). Therefore, when the applied force is increased while maintaining the same lever arm, the overall torque increases proportionally.

In practical terms, if you were to imagine using a wrench to tighten a bolt, applying more force on the handle of the wrench would result in a stronger rotational effort on the bolt, thus increasing torque. It's a direct relationship: as the force goes up, so does the torque, leading to a more effective mechanism in accomplishing work.

The other options would not effectively contribute to an increase in torque in the same way. Reducing the distance from the axis of rotation diminishes leverage, thus decreasing torque. Decreasing the speed of rotation does not affect the torque itself; instead, it pertains to the dynamics of how quickly the rotational force is being applied or utilized. Lowering the weight of the object does not directly correlate to torque; while a lighter object may require less force to rotate, it does not enhance the system's torque capabilities on its own if the applied force remains unchanged.