I give up what does "Form Factor" mean>

[steve_sordy]

In many of the early posts about the ep8 motor, the concept of "form factor" was mentioned. I kept reading, hoping the meaning would become clear. Is it a good thing or a bad thing to have a higher form factor? Is it even something measurable like numbers or angles? Or is it a concept like colour or shape? Does it have dimensions like density or temperature? Or is a dimensionless quantity like a ratio or a proportion?

I have Googled it and the most relevant definition appeared to be this:

What does form factor mean?
In electronics or electrical the form factor of an alternating current waveform (signal) is the ratio of the RMS (root mean square) value to the average value (mathematical mean of absolute values of all points on the waveform). ... The former can also be defined as the direct current that will produce equivalent heat.

Huh? I really am no wiser.
Is the above the best definition?
If so, does the ep8 have a better or worse form factor than the e8000 and..
What does it mean, just how relevant is it to a rider?
Or is it just different and it really doesn't matter?

 

[routrax]

I'm almost certain it's size and shape.

 

[KeithR]

I'm almost certain it's size and shape.

In this context, that's it in a nutshell.

 

[GrahamPaul]

Form factor - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[steve_sordy]

So it's size and shape! What a disappointment!!

We knew it was a different shape from all the pre-publicity!
Saying it has a different "form factor" is not adding anything at all. It just sounds pretentious. I could see it was a different shape. As we are discussing an electric motor, I had expected "form factor" to refer to something we couldn't see by just looking at it. Something different about the inner workings and how it delivered the power for example.

Ah well, every day is a learning day.

 

[Zimmerframe]

So it's size and shape! What a disappointment!!

We knew it was a different shape from all the pre-publicity!
Saying it has a different "form factor" is not adding anything at all. It just sounds pretentious. I could see it was a different shape. As we are discussing an electric motor, I had expected "form factor" to refer to something we couldn't see by just looking at it. Something different about the inner workings and how it delivered the power for example.

Ah well, every day is a learning day.

So if you were about to start dating again ... what form factor would you be looking for ?

 

[wildsau2]

the q- factor is highly underrated. smaller is not better. it depends on the width of your hips. for many of heavy or big riders a wider q factor is better.

 

[KeithR]

It just sounds pretentious.

Yep, couldn't agree more. It's a bit like "colourway" in that regard. What's wrong with "the colours"?