Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2018
Let $X$ be a smooth projective geometrically connected curve over a finite field with function field $K$. Let $g$ be a connected semisimple group scheme over $X$. Under certain hypotheses we prove the equality of two numbers associated with $g$. The first is an arithmetic invariant, its Tamagawa number. The second is a geometric invariant, the number of connected components of the moduli stack of $g$-torsors on $X$. Our results are most useful for studying connected components as much is known about Tamagawa numbers.