What effect does torque have on a spinning object?

Torque is a measure of the rotational force applied to an object. When torque is applied to a spinning object, it does not directly influence linear motion or simply stop the object's rotation. Instead, the primary effect of torque is to change the angular momentum of the object, which in turn results in a change in the orientation of its spin axis.

This phenomenon is exemplified in cases like a spinning top or a gyroscope, where the application of torque results in precession, leading to a change in the direction of the spin axis rather than a cessation of motion. Therefore, when torque is applied to a spinning object, it indeed changes the direction of the object's spin axis, controlling how the object rotates in space.

This understanding highlights why the correct choice focuses on the change in the object's spin axis, reflecting the unique effects of torque in rotational dynamics.