Tension (mechanics) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Tension is a reaction force applied by a stretched string (rope or a similar object) on the objects which stretch it. The direction of the force of tension is parallel to the string, towards the string.

Tension exists also inside the string itself: if the string is made up of two parts, tension is the force which the two parts of the string apply on each other. The amount of tension in the string determines whether it will break, as well as its vibrational properties, which are used in musical instruments.

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Images for kids

  • 9 men in the Irish champion tug of war team pull on a rope. The rope in the photo extends into a cartoon showing adjacent segments of the rope. One segment is duplicated in a free body diagram showing a pair of action-reaction forces of magnitude T pulling the segment in opposite directions, where T is transmitted axially and is called the tension force. This end of the rope is pulling the tug of war team to the right. Each segment of the rope is pulled apart by the two neighboring segments, stressing the segment in what is also called tension, which can change along the length of a rope, as it may also change along the grip of each of the tug of war team members.

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