Diagram shows an aluminum shaft A B and a brass shaft B C with a flange in between at B. Both the shafts are centered on the central axis x. The shaft is supported at A and C. A torque T is applied at B. The radial and longitudinal lines are shown on the shaft. The deformation of the shaft is shown with a counterclockwise segment at B of angle phi subscript B, angle of twist.

Consider shaft (1). The torque T causes shaft (1) to twist as shown.

The angle of twist in a shaft can be determined by considering the angles of rotation at its two ends.