Jake Lamar
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TENSION definition: 1. a feeling of nervousness before an important or difficult event: 2. a feeling of fear or anger…. Learn more.
- Overview
- What does tension mean?
- How do we calculate the force of tension?
- Example 1: Angled rope pulling on a box
- Example 2: Box hanging from two ropes
Ropes pull on things! Learn how to handle that kind of force.
1.Draw the forces exerted on the object in question.
2.Write down Newton's second law (a=ΣFm) for a direction in which the tension is directed.
3.Solve for the tension using the Newton's second law equation a=ΣFm .
All physical objects that are in contact can exert forces on each other. We give these contact forces different names based on the types of objects in contact. If one of the objects exerting the force happens to be a rope, string, chain, or cable we call the force tension.
[How can a rope exert a force?]
Ropes and cables are useful for exerting forces since they can efficiently transfer a force over a significant distance (e.g. the length of the rope). For instance, a sled can be pulled by a team of Siberian Huskies with ropes secured to them which lets the dogs run with a larger range of motion compared to requiring the Huskies to push on the back surface of the sled from behind using the normal force. (Yes, that would be the most pathetic dog sled team ever.)
It's important to note here that tension is a pulling force since ropes simply can't push effectively. Trying to push with a rope causes the rope to go slack and lose the tension that allowed it to pull in the first place. This might sound obvious, but when it comes time to draw the forces acting on an object, people often draw the force of tension going in the wrong direction so remember that tension can only pull on an object.
Unfortunately, there's no special formula to find the force of tension. The strategy employed to find the force of tension is the same as the one we use to find the normal force. Namely, we use Newton's second law to relate the motion of the object to the forces involved. To be specific we can,
1.Draw the forces exerted on the object in question.
2.Write down Newton's second law (a=ΣFm) for a direction in which the tension is directed.
3.Solve for the tension using the Newton's second law equation a=ΣFm .
A 2.0 kg box of cucumber extract is being pulled across a frictionless table by a rope at an angle θ=60o as seen below. The tension in the rope causes the box to slide across the table to the right with an acceleration of 3.0m s2 .
What is the tension in the rope?
First we draw a force diagram of all the forces acting on the box.
Now we use Newton's second law. The tension is directed both vertically and horizontally, so it's a little unclear which direction to choose. However, since we know the acceleration horizontally, and since we know tension is the only force directed horizontally, we'll use Newton's second law in the horizontal direction.
[What if we accidentally chose to use the second law in the vertical direction?]
ax=ΣFxm(use Newton’s second law for the horizontal direction)
A 0.25 kg container of animal crackers hangs at rest from two strings secured to the ceiling and wall respectively. The diagonal rope under tension T2 is directed at an angle θ=30o from the horizontal direction as seen below.
What are the tensions (T1 and T2) in the two strings?
First we draw a force diagram of all the forces acting on the container of animal crackers.
Now we have to use Newton's second law. There are tensions directed both vertically and horizontally, so again it's a little unclear which direction to choose. However, since we know the force of gravity, which is a vertical force, we'll start with Newton's second law in the vertical direction.
ay=ΣFym(use Newton’s second law for the vertical direction)
0=T2sin30o−Fg0.25 kg(plug in the vertical acceleration, mass, and vertical forces)
a feeling of fear or anger between two groups of people who do not trust each other: ethnic / racial tension. There are growing tensions between the two countries. Fewer examples. The tension in the office just dissolves when she walks out. After the arrival of the United Nations soldiers, tension in the area began to ease.
Definition of tension noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
ten· sion ˈten (t)-shən. Synonyms of tension. 1. a. : inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion. b. : a state of latent hostility or opposition between individuals or groups. c. : a balance maintained in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements.
a feeling that you are nervous, worried, and not relaxed: You could feel the tension in the room as we waited for her to arrive. tension noun (TIGHT) how tight or stiff a muscle, rope, etc, is, or the quality of being tight or stiff. (Definition of tension from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of tension
noun. the act of stretching or straining. the state of being stretched or strained. mental or emotional strain; intense, suppressed suspense, anxiety, or excitement. a strained relationship between individuals, groups, nations, etc. (not in current use) pressure, especially of a vapor. Mechanics.
