Tension Force - Formula, Examples, FAQs

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.

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.

Also check-

• NCERT Exemplar Class 11th Physics Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Class 12th Physics Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Solutions for All Subjects

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.

Tension Force Examples:

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Also Read:

• NCERT solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 5 Laws of Motion
• NCERT Exemplar Class 11 Physics Solutions Chapter 5 Laws of Motion
• NCERT notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 5 Laws of Motion

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.

Also read -

• NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics
• NCERT Solutions for All Subjects

NCERT Physics Notes:

• NCERT Notes Class 11th Physics
• NCERT Notes Class 12th Physics
• NCERT Notes For All Subjects