What is Tension force: Definition and 127 Discussions

In physics, tension is described as the pulling force transmitted axially by the means of a string, a cable, chain, or similar object, or by each end of a rod, truss member, or similar three-dimensional object; tension might also be described as the action-reaction pair of forces acting at each end of said elements. Tension could be the opposite of compression.
At the atomic level, when atoms or molecules are pulled apart from each other and gain potential energy with a restoring force still existing, the restoring force might create what is also called tension. Each end of a string or rod under such tension could pull on the object it is attached to, in order to restore the string/rod to its relaxed length.
In physics, tension, as a transmitted force, as an action-reaction pair of forces, or as a restoring force, may be a force and has the units of force measured in newtons (or sometimes pounds-force). The ends of a string or other object transmitting tension will exert forces on the objects to which the string or rod is connected, in the direction of the string at the point of attachment. These forces due to tension are also called "passive forces". There are two basic possibilities for systems of objects held by strings: either acceleration is zero and the system is therefore in equilibrium, or there is acceleration, and therefore a net force is present in the system.

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  1. personage

    What is the direction of tension force in a rope?

    Hi everyone, What I understand is that tension only exists if there are two forces pulling on a rope in opposite directions. What I have also read is that due to Newton's third law, the rope actually pulls back with a force equal but opposite to the two applied forces, so the forces look a bit...
  2. D

    Mechanical energy of frictionless pulley

    Homework Statement In the system shown, the block M (mass of 15.65 kg) is initially moving to the left with a speed of 3.4 m/s The mass of m is 8.26 kg and the coefficients of friction are μs=0.411 and μk=0.304. The string is massless and the pulley is massless and frictionless. How fast will M...
  3. Calpalned

    What is the work done by a tow truck pulling a car 1 km?

    Homework Statement A tow truck drags a stalled car along a road. The chain makes an angle of 30° with the road and the tension in the chain is 1500 N. How much work is done by the truck in pulling the car 1 km? Homework Equations Work = Force * distance The Attempt at a Solution By drawing a...
  4. Quadrat

    Circular motion, tension and angular speed

    Homework Statement A ball with the mass m is attached to a rod, suspended by two strings both with lengths L. The rod is rotating with the angular velocity ω and the ball rotates with it in such a way that the strings are taut and the ball moves in a circular pattern. I tried to draw it on my...
  5. R

    Calculate Tension for Teddy Bear w/ 2.5N & Angles 30º and 40º

    There is a teddy bear with a weight of 2.5 N suspended by two strings at 30º and at 40º. What is the tension of each string? Let Theta1 be 30 and Theta2 be 40 I know that T1 sin Theta1 + T2 sin Theta2=mg I apologize I don't know how to type all the special characters
  6. Z

    Force of tension of spring and rope

    why is the tension force of spring conservative and tension force of rope not conservative ??
  7. Z

    Difference between the tension force of the rope and that of spring

    what is the difference between the tension force of the rope and that of spring ??
  8. N

    Is it possible to find the tension force without mass?

    Homework Statement The system to the right has two identical masses. (one is hanging off the ledge of a table, one is on the table, they are connected by a rope.) tge coefficients of kinetic and static friction are .54 and .63 respectively. Find the acceleration and the tension in the rope...
  9. R

    Tension Force Parallel to the Ground (Perpendicular to Gravity)

    Homework Statement A block on a ramp is held by a tension force parallel to the horizontal (not the ramp). If originally the tension force was parallel to the ramp, is the tension force when it was parallel greater, equal, or less than when it is horizontal? Homework Equations Trigonometric...
  10. R

    How Does Releasing an Object Affect Tension in a Pulley System?

    So I've been thinking about something for some time now, suppose you have an object (m1) on a frictionless ramp. There is an ideal pulley where the object is attached to one another and hangs down off the ramp (m2). And suppose that someone is holding the first block in place (m1) . If the...
  11. gcombina

    What is the tension force in a tug-of-war between two teams?

    19. In a tug-of-war, each man on a 5-man team pulls with an average force of 500 N. What is the tension in the center of the rope? (a) zero Newtons (c) 500 N (e) 5000 N (b) 100 N (d) 2500 N My answer was 2500 N as that is teh force pulling the rope, why the answer is 5000? are we...
  12. J

    Finding the tension force and torque

    1. Finding tension force and torque (details attached) http://imgur.com/cZLG9xP 2. please see attachment http://imgur.com/cZLG9xP 3. For part 1). I get ​{​T} = -\sin \alpha(i) +\cos \alpha(j) is this correct? (Where T is the tension force) For part 2). I am...
  13. N

    Coil, 110 GA, r = 70m. How much tension force is generated?

    Homework Statement I need to generate a field of B = 10 T at the center of a magnetic loop (coil). The coil should have r = 70 m. The coil material itself should be a cable of r = 0.2 m. The question, how much mechanical stress is applied throughout the loop? I'm trying to figure out, if such...
  14. P

    Calculate the tension force of 3 supporting cables that hold a crate

    Homework Statement A 500 N crate is at position A = (45, 70, -115) in a standard xyz coordinate system. Three cables support the crate and have terminal points B, C, D, whose coordinates are (0, 70, 0), (-60, 0, 0), and (45, -65, 0). Calculate the tension force of EACH of the three cables...
  15. R

    Graph of Tension force vs. the square of the speed

    Working on a physics lab report regarding uniform circular motion, one of the questions asks to graph the Tension Force vs. the square of the speed. Another part of the same question asks what the slope of the graph represents, which is where I'm stuck.
  16. K

    How to understand tension force existing in slack side of belt drive?

    Hi, For a long time, it is always unclear for me to understand that there is a tension force acting in the slack side of a belt drive. Tension acting in the tight side is quite straight forward and hence no doubt! When I see a belt drive in motion, I always see the slack side kind of...
  17. R

    (GRADE 9 SCIENCE) Equilibrium Tension Force Help Me PLease

    Hey Guys, Well I am a freshman taking Physical Science and my teacher didn't do a good job explaining this question. http://prntscr.com/uf6tv <-- that's the problem and i numbered the 6 questions If you could answer those questions and explain how you got that it would be awesome! thanks
  18. M

    Attempting to find tension force with electric fields

    Homework Statement A small conducting sphere of mass 5.0x10^-3 kg attached to a string of length 20 cm, is at rest in a uniform electric field E. There is a charge of -5.0x10^-6 coulomb on the sphere. The string makes an angle of 30° with the vertical. Calculate the tension in the string...
  19. C

    Another tension force question

    Homework Statement See the attachment for the diagram and problem: Homework Equations So the magnitude of the tension in the wire is 13.38 N. And each angle is 14 degrees below the x-axis, one on the positive side and one on the negative side. Would I use my Tcos(theta) and...
  20. C

    How Should Angles Be Used in Calculating Tension Forces?

    Homework Statement See attached figure below for problem: I'm designating the "horizontal cable" T1, the "incline cable" T2, and the "vertical cable" T3. Homework Equations I used the following to find x and y components of each force: x comp=Tncos(theta) y comp=Tnsin(theta) The...
  21. E

    How Can You Calculate Minimum Cable Tension in a Catenary Equation Using Excel?

    Hello all, I have yet another mathematical quandary that is robbing me sleep, so I return to gather ideas. This problem (fuelled from self-study) involves the equation of a catenary. The profile of a catenary can be expressed as y(x) = T/w*(cosh(w/T*x) – 1). My inputs into this equation...
  22. A

    Help Finding The Tension Force of a String (Not a Homework Problem)

    I'm trying to put together a little physics project, and I've constructed a rudimentary stringed instrument using a 2-liter bottle and some string. The string is fed through the bottom of the bottle and wound around a small dowel at the top end, and a small hole has been cut near middle of the...
  23. A

    2 Dimensional Tension Force Homework Help

    Homework Statement A sign is suspended from two strings as shown. Determine the wheight of the sign. Left string: Fτ=25 Newtons; ∅=40 degrees Right String:Fτ=25 Newtons; ∅=40 degrees Homework Equations i no that the mass is at equilibrium, so the tension forces are equal and opposite...
  24. J

    Cable tension force from applied force

    Hi, I am a bit confused about cables, because of multiple people telling me different things. The only times we've discussed cables/springs is when a force is applied parallel to the length of the cable. So say you had a cable tied to 2 fixed ends ------------------ , (great diagram eh) and a...
  25. K

    Find tension force of a cable and components of reaction force of pivot

    Homework Statement Please see attached photos. I've been drawing and re-drawing diagrams but I'm at a loss. For part a, I've tried a right triangle using the top cable as the hypotenuse. I've tried the force equation (ƩF=ma) but I don't think that's right. I just can't get a start...
  26. K

    Finding tension force and and components of a uniform boom

    Homework Statement A 1200-N uniform boom at ∅=55° to the horizontal is supported by a cable at an angle θ=25.0° to the horizontal. The boom is pivoted at the bottom and an object of weight 2 000 N hangs from its top. Find (a) the tension in the support cable and (b) the horizontal and...
  27. A

    Tension Force (should be easy)

    Homework Statement The weights of the blocks are W_A = 120 lb and W_B = 20 lb, and the surfaces are smooth. Find the acceleration of block A. [A picture is shown. Block A is connected via rod to a pulley, and Block B is hanging from the pulley via cord.] Homework Equations F=ma...
  28. T

    What is the Tension Force of a Swing Set at the Bottom of its Path?

    Homework Statement At the playground, a girl gets on a swing. Her mother pulls her back so that the chain on the swing is at an angle θ from the vertical. She holds her daughter and then let's her go, without pushing. Show that the tension in the chain at the bottom of the swing’s path is...
  29. K

    Magnitude of tension force using moment

    Homework Statement a uniform steel ring 60" in diameter and weighing 600 lbs is lifted by three cables each 50" long attached at points A (90*) B (90*) C (120*) with a radius of 30". compute the magnitude of tension force in each cableHomework Equations all moment equations ft=maThe Attempt at...
  30. A

    Tension force at molecular level

    hey, i want to understand how does the molecules of a rope or cable generate tension when force is applied at both ends. consider a block of mass m hanging from a ceiling with the help of a string. please explain what's goin on at the molecular level in a rope when forces are applied at both ends.
  31. D

    Calculating Tension Force Problem

    Homework Statement A girl swings a 2.7kg ball attached to a 72.0-cm string in a horizontal circle above her head, which makes one revolution in .98s. What is the tension force, F_{T}, exerted on the string by the ball? Homework Equations Alright, I have never worked with Tension Force in my...
  32. H

    Tension Force Calculation for George of the Jungle

    Homework Statement George of the Jungle swings on a vine 6.5 meters long. What is the tension in the vine if George whose mass is 75 kg, is moving at 2.4 m/s when the vine is vertical? Homework Equations Ftension=Fgravity Fgravity=mg Fgravity=Gm1m2/d2 The Attempt at a Solution ??
  33. G

    Solving Tension Force Question: Free Body Diagram for Tension 5

    Homework Statement See Attachment Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I'm unsure how to begin the problem because of the fifth tension force. How does one draw this force on a free body diagram? Does the force of tension on the ball by tension 5 have a direction of...
  34. D

    How Do You Calculate Tension in a Pulley System?

    I need some help with this problem. I can find the acceleration, just not the tension force. The mew kinetic is .6. The mass on the table is 10 kg and the mass hanging on the pulley is 20 kg. Thanks a ton.
  35. D

    Physics Tension Force Homework Problem

    I need some help with this problem. A ball of mass m is suspended from 2 strings of unequal length. The tensions in T1 and T2 in the strings must satisfy which of the following relations? The answer is T1<T2. I can't get a lucite in but T1 is on the left and sloping down to the right on an...
  36. D

    Help figuring out Tension Force

    1.Homework Statement Arlene is to walk across a high wire strung horizontally between two buildings 13.0 m apart. The sag in the rope when she is at the midpoint is 10.0°. If her mass is 50.0 kg, what is the tension in the rope at this point? So I know: Mass=50kg Acceleration=0 m/s2 Homework...
  37. P

    What is the relationship between tension force and SHM?

    Hi, I am learning about SHM and in order to explain why the acceleration is proportional to the displacement but in opposite directions the book used as an example a particle with mass m, attached to a spring. He defines the displacement to the right as being positive and to the left as...
  38. D

    Tension force of an object on a slope

    Homework Statement A box is trying to be pulled by a rope up a hill that is 30 degrees above the horizontal. The coefficient of friction (\mu) is 0.25. The acceleration is 1.5m/s^{2} down the hill. The mass of the box is 2.0 kg. Find the force of tension in the rope.Homework Equations Fg = mg...
  39. B

    Hanging Chandelier (A question about Tension Force)

    Hanging Chandelier (Solved) Homework Statement A chandelier with mass m is attached to the ceiling of a large concert hall by two cables. Because the ceiling is covered with intricate architectural decorations (not indicated in the figure, which uses a humbler depiction), the workers who hung...
  40. P

    What are the tension forces in a suspended mass system?

    Homework Statement the question is this, in the figure, find t1,t2, t3, and t4; if Fgrav=80N Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution the instructor added 2 more stings and I'm really confused where to start on doing free body diagram. hope you guys can help me.. :(
  41. R

    Work-energy theorem and Tension Force

    Homework Statement While running at a speed of 5.0m/s Tarzan grabs a 9.0m long vine hanging vertically from a tall tree in the jungle and swings on it. As he swings on the vine, how much work is done on him by the tension force in the vine? To what maximum vertical height can he swing if he...
  42. W

    Spring Scale Tension Force Problem

    Homework Statement You place a 8.10-kg television on a spring scale. If the scale reads 77.95 N, what is the acceleration due to gravity at that location? Homework Equations f=ma fg=mg fnet=mAnet Ff=μῦF The Attempt at a Solution Fnet = T - Fg mAnet = T - Fg 8.1(Anet) = T -...
  43. O

    Solving Tension Force Problem in APB Juniors

    Im in APB as a Juniors, my teacher just teaching us about Static Forces. One of his problems has to do with Tension Forces but before he could actually show us a true example of tension force, the bell rings, so I am not really sure how to do this problem at all. The Question A 50 [N] block...
  44. P

    Really clueless = Minimum Mass Tension Force Question

    Homework Statement A fisherman yanks a fish straight up out of the water with an acceleration of 2m/s^2 using very light fishing line that has a "test value" of 50 pounds. the fisherman, loses the fish as the line snaps. What is the minimum mass of the fish? The answer given is...
  45. U

    Tension force, acting about a pivot

    Homework Statement A mass of 20kg is hanging on a rope. Another cord is tied to the rope part way down and is attached to a wall. This causes the rope to make a 60 degree angle to the ceiling. a) Calculate the tension force in the upper section of the rope. b) Calculate the force exerted by...
  46. S

    Solving Frictionless Pulley System: Acceleration & Tension Force

    Homework Statement Two masses are places in a frictionless pulley system. Solve for the acceleration and tension force. )its a pullz question and the mu=0.1 Homework Equations So i know that Fg=MG Fnet=ma Ff=MFn How can i solve this question? how come Fnet=Ft came out of nowhere...
  47. P

    What is the Origin of Tension Force?

    What is a tension force ? Where does it originate from ?
  48. Salazar

    Analyzing the Tension Force in a Pendulum Swing

    "A pendulum bob swings back and forth on a circular path. How much work does the tension force do on the bob?" That is a question I have. What is the answer symbolically?
  49. T

    Tension force on a clothesline

    Homework Statement Big Bird’ has a force of gravity on him of 720 N. He is perched on a clothesline such that the clothesline forms a symmetrical 'V' with the angle within the 'V' being 150degrees. What is the tension force in the rope on each side of ‘Big Bird’? Homework Equations...
  50. P

    Friction and tension force- mass

    Friction and tension force-- mass Homework Statement In the real world, ramps aren't frictionless, so I had to drag Brisket up a ramp, slanted at 26.6° from the ground, that had a coefficient of kinetic friction = 0.674. I applied a tension force FR=5060.8N to my pet cow using the rope...
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