Tension Force - Formula, Examples, FAQs

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:58 PM IST

Tension force is kind of a force where it will be generated, if any kind of load is applied at any side of the material which can be single or multiple sides. In this article we covered topics like tension force formula, tension force examples, what is tension force, what exactly is the tension is, pull strings meaning, in a cable the tension is maximum in, what is length tension relationship and calculate power generated by tension in the string. This tension force acts on the cross sectional and directional way of the given material.

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Tension force formula:
Newton’s Laws Applications with Tension Force:
Tension Force Examples:
Tensile Strength:

Tension Force - Formula, Examples, FAQs

There are two kinds of general forces which are pulling and pushing forces acting on a material. The tension force is something which can be often considered as the “pulling force”. There is also a major concern about the materials selection as they will be exposed or undergoing the tension and their durability depends on it. Whatever the load applied must be axially to the material so that it can be considered as the tension force. In general wake of life tension force is observed or developed in a cable, rope, or a string when they are pulled or stretched with an axially applied force.

The tension force created will equally distribute over the length of the cable, string, or rope in an opposite direction to the load applied on it. The tension force can be called with different other names such as tautness, stress and tensity. The tension forces are known as contact forces category because it can only be developed when there is only touching or contact between the rope and an object. The multiple forces such as gravity, vertical force and a string pull are acting upon the given object then it won’t exactly be same as the centripetal force.

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Tension force formula:

The tension force developed in an object, rope or any connector is equal to the object weight. T= object mass x gravitational force = mg newtons. Gravity = 9.8 m/s2.There is an interesting fact about this force as it only pulls but can never push an object. There is a direct proportion between the pulling and tension, as the pulling increases the tension also tends to increase, as the pushing decreases even the tension tends to decrease.

The tension force developed always allows the pulling force to be distributed along the cable relatively larger lengths. Tension can never act on its own and should always be supposed to be introduced by the system and there must be a pulling force. Massless string contains constant tension because as it is not a rigid surface, and the tension is existent in the entire string instead of at any single point application.

Newton’s Laws Applications with Tension Force:

The Newton’s laws will be using the tension as its final law. To understand it clearly, we can consider an instance of a rope and block which are used for arising the tension. When a block is being pulled by the rope and the person is only in contact with the rope and not with the block then the person cannot exert any direct force on that given block. In case of the massless rope the force used to pull will be equal to the force exerted on the block. If K newtons forces is used for pulling using a massless rope, then the block also experiences the K newtons force on it.

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Tension Force Examples:

In daily life there are many examples around us to learn about the tension force and its applications.

Water bucket pulling from well: When a rope tied at the end of bucket is used for pulling water from a deep well then, the person pulling the rope will exerting some tension force on it and will be transferred on to the bucket. The rope which is the medium with the help of a pulley can bring the bucket up with the usage of appropriate amount of tension force.
In fitness regime: One more helpful application of tension force in real life is using it in resistance bands, Lat Pull Down Machine. In this machine the string is attached at one end to the weight and other end the user will be pulling at their ease. Both the tension and compression forces are used to pull the weights and perform the exercise. The strings will be of less weight.
In Fun Games: The Tug of war is one such example where both parties pull the rope from their respective sides. If there is no tension force no one can really win. IT all depends on the persons who are pulling with more force and a tension develops in it. If both the teams utilize same amount of maximum force, then tension force increases which decreases the tensile strength resulting in the breakage of the rope.
Crane Machinery: In this condition the crane operator may not be exactly in condition of contact with the lifting object, but the tension force is contained in the chain which is used for lifting the object.
Vehicle Towing: While towing the vehicles the taut chain is used for this purpose. These chains will have almost the zero mass so that the power can be transferred without interference and that can be used for lifting vehicles effectively. The towing vehicle engine will be attached with these taut chains and energy is transferred and then coupled with the vehicle to be towed making easy for the operator.

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Tensile Strength:

The most common of all forces is the tension force. Many materials selection will be done based on this factor. The term tensile strength can be defined as the resistance developed against the stress caused along the entire length. The measurement is made as the highest load applied in weight terms per unit area when pulling towards the direction of total length and how much the given substance will be able to bear without breaking or tearing apart. The tensile strength can be known as the total maximum amount a given material can bear when it is subjected to load just before it begins to fail.

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NCERT Physics Notes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly is the Tension force and its definition?

The tension force is developed in the string, cable, or rope when there is a pull from the other end, and it can be defined as the contact force which is transmitted and distributes along the length of the wire.

2. In which direction the tension force will be developed?

The tension force always will be developed axially and will be away from the object.

3. When will be the system the be in equilibrium?

When all the forces values are summed up and if that value tends to zero then the system is said to be in equilibrium.

4. What is net force of a system for tension force?

When there is an unbalanced or unequal force acting up on the block or the system then the total sum doesn’t add up to zero then there a net force exists.

5. How is the tension developed in a massless string?

A Massless string transforms the pulling force from one end to another other end of the object and the tension is developed which is equal to that force.

6. Can tension ever exceed the breaking strength of a rope?

Yes, if the tension force becomes greater than the rope's breaking strength, the rope will break. This is why it's crucial to know a rope's strength limit when using it to support loads.

7. What's the difference between tension and stress?

Tension is a force that pulls on an object, while stress is the internal force per unit area within a material. Tension can cause stress, but stress can also result from compression or shear forces.

8. What is tension force?

Tension force is the pulling force exerted by a string, rope, cable, or similar object when it is pulled tight. It acts along the length of the object and is directed away from the point of application.

9. Can tension be zero in a rope that's not slack?

No, if a rope is not slack (i.e., it's taut), there must be some tension in it. A zero tension would mean the rope is completely relaxed or slack.

10. What's the relationship between tension and elastic potential energy?

When an elastic object like a spring is stretched, tension force stores elastic potential energy. The energy stored is proportional to the square of the stretch distance and the object's spring constant.

11. Why doesn't a hanging object fall if tension is pulling it up and gravity is pulling it down?

When an object hangs at rest, the upward tension force exactly balances the downward gravitational force. This equilibrium of forces prevents the object from falling or accelerating upward.

12. How does the angle of a rope affect the tension force?

As the angle between a rope and the vertical increases, the tension in the rope increases. This is because part of the tension force is now being used to provide a horizontal component, in addition to supporting the weight.

13. What happens to tension in a rope when an object it's supporting accelerates upward?

When an object accelerates upward, the tension in the rope increases. It must now be greater than the object's weight to provide the extra force needed for upward acceleration.

14. How does tension force differ from other forces like gravity or friction?

Unlike gravity (which always acts downward) or friction (which opposes motion), tension force acts along the length of a string or rope. It can act in any direction, depending on how the object is oriented.

15. Can tension force ever push instead of pull?

No, tension force always pulls. It is a force that tries to stretch an object, never compress it. If a force is pushing, it would be considered a compressive force, not tension.

16. What's the formula for calculating tension in a rope supporting a hanging mass?

For a single hanging mass (m) in equilibrium, the tension (T) equals the weight of the mass: T = mg, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth).

17. How does the mass of a rope affect the tension within it?

For a massless rope, tension is constant throughout. However, for a rope with mass, tension varies along its length. It's maximum at the top (supporting its own weight plus any attached mass) and minimum at the bottom.

18. How is tension related to Newton's Third Law?

Tension exemplifies Newton's Third Law. When a rope pulls on an object, the object pulls back on the rope with an equal and opposite force. This is why tension is the same throughout a massless, inextensible rope.

19. What's the difference between static and dynamic tension?

Static tension occurs in a system at rest or moving at constant velocity. Dynamic tension involves changing forces, often in accelerating systems. Dynamic tension can be greater than static tension due to additional forces from acceleration.

20. How does tension relate to the concept of mechanical advantage in pulley systems?

In pulley systems, tension can be distributed among multiple rope segments, reducing the force needed to lift a load. This is the basis of mechanical advantage in pulleys. The more rope segments supporting the weight, the less tension in each segment.

21. How does tension change in a rope swing as it moves?

In a rope swing, tension varies throughout the motion. It's minimum at the bottom of the swing (where it just needs to support the weight and provide centripetal force) and maximum at the top of the swing (where it must also counter gravity).

22. How does tension in a string affect the period of a simple pendulum?

Interestingly, for small oscillations, the tension doesn't affect the period of a simple pendulum. The period depends on the pendulum's length and gravity, not the mass or tension (assuming the string is inextensible).

23. How does tension force contribute to the shape of a hanging chain?

The shape of a hanging chain (called a catenary) results from tension varying along its length due to its own weight. The tension is lowest at the bottom and increases towards the support points, creating the characteristic curved shape.

24. Can tension ever be negative?

In physics calculations, tension is typically considered positive when pulling and zero when slack. A negative tension doesn't have a physical meaning - it would imply the rope is pushing, which ropes can't do.

25. How does tension relate to the concept of "taut"?

A rope or string is considered "taut" when it has tension throughout its length. If any part of the rope becomes slack, it's no longer completely taut.

26. What role does tension play in the physics of musical instruments?

In string instruments, tension determines the frequency at which a string vibrates. Higher tension results in a higher pitch. This is why tightening a guitar string raises its pitch.

27. How does the concept of tension apply to fluids?

In fluids, surface tension is analogous to tension in solids. It's a property of a liquid's surface that allows it to resist an external force, caused by cohesive forces between molecules.

28. What's the relationship between tension and work?

When an object moves in the direction of the tension force, the tension does positive work on the object. The work done is equal to the product of the tension force and the displacement in the direction of the force.

29. How does tension affect the speed of waves on a string?

The speed of waves on a string increases with higher tension. The wave speed is proportional to the square root of the tension divided by the linear density of the string.

30. What's the difference between tension and torque?

While both are forces, tension is a pulling force along a string or rope, while torque is a rotational force that causes an object to rotate around an axis.

31. How does tension in a rope bridge differ from tension in a suspension bridge?

In a rope bridge, tension is primarily along the length of the rope. In a suspension bridge, the main cables experience tension, but they also create vertical tension forces in the suspender cables that support the roadway.

32. Can tension force do negative work?

Yes, tension can do negative work if an object moves in the direction opposite to the tension force. For example, when you lower a bucket into a well, the tension in the rope does negative work on the bucket.

33. How does tension relate to the concept of "reaction force" in physics?

Tension often acts as a reaction force. For example, when you hang an object from a ceiling, the tension in the rope is the ceiling's reaction to the weight of the object, keeping the system in equilibrium.

34. What happens to tension in a rope if friction is present?

If friction is present (e.g., a rope passing over a rough pulley), the tension may not be uniform throughout the rope. The tension will be greater on one side of the friction point than the other.

35. How does tension contribute to the stability of structures like tents or cable-stayed bridges?

In structures like tents or cable-stayed bridges, tension in ropes or cables provides stability by counteracting forces that would otherwise cause collapse. The tension forces work together to maintain the structure's shape and position.

36. What's the relationship between tension and compression in a structural analysis?

In many structures, elements under tension work in conjunction with elements under compression. For example, in a simple truss bridge, some members are in tension while others are in compression, working together to support the load.

37. How does the concept of pre-tension apply in engineering?

Pre-tension involves applying tension to a component before it's subjected to its intended load. This technique is used in various applications, from guitar strings to prestressed concrete, to improve performance and durability.

38. What's the difference between tension and torsion?

While tension is a pulling force along an object's length, torsion is a twisting force that causes rotation around an object's longitudinal axis. Both can occur in the same object, but they represent different types of stress.

39. How does tension affect the resonant frequency of a string?

Increasing the tension in a string increases its resonant frequency. This is why tightening a guitar string raises its pitch. The relationship is not linear

40. What role does tension play in the physics of tightrope walking?

In tightrope walking, high tension in the rope is crucial. It provides stability and minimizes the rope's sag. The walker's weight creates additional tension, which actually helps by making the rope more taut and stable.

41. How does tension force relate to Young's modulus?

Young's modulus describes how much a material stretches under tension. It's defined as the ratio of stress (force per unit area) to strain (proportional deformation) in the linear elastic region. Materials with higher Young's modulus experience less strain for a given tension.

42. Can tension force ever change the length of a "perfectly inextensible" rope?

No, by definition, a perfectly inextensible rope doesn't change length under any amount of tension. However, in reality, all materials have some degree of elasticity, so real ropes will stretch slightly under tension.

43. How does tension in a rotating system (like a centrifuge) differ from tension in a stationary system?

In a rotating system, tension must provide not only support against gravity but also the centripetal force necessary for circular motion. This often results in higher tension than in a stationary system.

44. What's the relationship between tension and the catenary curve?

The catenary curve is the shape formed by a rope or chain hanging under its own weight. The tension at any point in the catenary is tangent to the curve and increases from the lowest point to the support points.

45. How does tension affect the propagation of longitudinal waves in a medium?

While tension primarily affects transverse waves (like those on a guitar string), it can also influence longitudinal waves. In some media, increased tension can lead to faster propagation of longitudinal waves due to increased stiffness.

46. What's the difference between tension and normal force?

Tension is a pulling force along the length of an object, while normal force is the perpendicular force a surface exerts on an object in contact with it. Both can support weight, but they act in different directions.

47. How does the concept of tension apply to molecular bonds?

At the molecular level, chemical bonds can be thought of as being under tension. This is particularly evident in stretched polymers, where the tension in the molecular bonds contributes to the material's elasticity.

48. What role does tension play in the design of cable-stayed bridges?

In cable-stayed bridges, tension in the cables supports the bridge deck and transfers loads to the towers. The precise adjustment of tension in each cable is crucial for distributing the load evenly and maintaining the bridge's shape.

49. How does tension affect the speed of sound in a solid?

Increasing tension in a solid generally increases the speed of sound through it. This is because tension increases the material's stiffness, allowing vibrations (sound waves) to propagate more quickly.

50. What's the relationship between tension and shear stress?

While tension is a pulling force, shear stress results from forces acting parallel to a surface. However, tension can induce shear stress in materials, especially in complex loading scenarios or non-uniform structures.

51. How does tension contribute to the phenomenon of resonance?

Tension determines the natural frequency of vibrating systems like strings. When an external force matches this frequency, resonance occurs. Understanding tension is crucial for predicting and controlling resonance in various applications.

52. What's the role of tension in the physics of archery?

In archery, the tension in the bowstring stores potential energy when the bow is drawn. When released, this energy is converted to kinetic energy of the arrow. The amount of tension affects the arrow's speed and range.

53. How does tension relate to the concept of mechanical impedance?

Mechanical impedance, which describes a structure's resistance to motion when subjected to a force, is influenced by tension. Higher tension generally increases a system's mechanical impedance.

54. What's the significance of tension in the study of material fatigue?

Cyclic tension forces can lead to material fatigue over time. Understanding how materials behave under repeated tension is crucial for designing long-lasting structures and machines.

55. How does tension contribute to the phenomenon of wave interference in strings?

Tension determines the wave speed in strings, which affects how waves interfere with each other. This is fundamental to understanding standing waves and harmonics in musical instruments and other vibrating systems.