What is Tension of string: Definition and 23 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. S

    Tension of string acting on stone moving in horizontal circular motion

    Is it possible for the stone to move in horizontal circular motion just like in the picture? I try to draw the free body diagram of the stone and there are two forces acting on the stone, its weight (directed downwards) and the tension of the string (directed to the left). The tension will...
  2. J

    Blocks connected by a spring

    Homework Statement [/B] There are two blocks that have equal mass m, they are connected by a spring (with a coefficient of elasticity k) that has length l0. Instantly on the left block a force F begins to act. What will be the min. and max. length of this spring during this movement. There...
  3. shubham_ju

    Will a Massless Pulley with Friction Rotate with Unequal Masses on Either Side?

    a massless pulley with friction between its surface and the string passing over it .If string is having two unequal masses connected to it on both side of pulley then will the pulley rotate?
  4. T

    Sound & Music - Tension of a string

    Homework Statement The A string on a violin has a fundamental frequency of 440Hz. The length of the vibrating portion is 32.4cm and has a mass of 0.340g. Under what tension must the string be placed? Homework Equations V = Fλ Vs = √t/μ The Attempt at a Solution I plugged in my info to...
  5. H

    Solve Tension of String Homework Statement

    Homework Statement Hi, sorry, I am not good at writing English, but I am trying. I hope that someone helps me solve the following problem. http://hodol.kr/q.jpg Please refer to the figure above. A stick(AB) of length 5 is leaning against the Wall(AO) and a string(CO) is tied at the...
  6. A

    Working out tension of string holding a ball underwater

    I have a physics homework question that i need help with; A submerged ball of negligible mass is attached to the bottom of a swimming pool by two strings as shown. The volume of the ball is 5000cm^3. Calculate the tension in each string. (hint you need to look up the density of water) How do i...
  7. G

    Static friction between 2 blocks and tension of string

    Homework Statement the maximum force is F=F1 +F2 + T as shown in the textbook... I can't understand why the tension of spring is also = F1...Is it because of the writer assume the spring is directly attached to the part P (upper part of the block) ?? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  8. Seaborgium

    Tension of string joining two crossed sticks

    Homework Statement "A cylinder of mass m and radius R is lodged between crossed sticks that make an angle θ with each other. The crossed sticks, each of negligible mass, are connected at the point C, with AC=BC=2R and CD=CE=3R. Determine the tension in the string at DE. Assume the floor is...
  9. S

    Finding Tension of String Connecting Two Blocks on a Flat Surface

    Homework Statement Two blocks mA= 5.0 g and mB= 10.0kg are connected to a string. Both blocks sit on a smooth inclined surface where the angle on the inclined plane is 30.0°. Block A is about block B on the incline. Find the acceleration of the system of two blocks. What is the tension TB in...
  10. W

    Is the tension of the string in a yoyo the same when descending and ascending?

    Homework Statement For a yoyo made of two uniform discs of radius R and each has mass M/2. A short shaft connecting the discs has a very small radius of r. A string is wrapped around the shaft and the yoyo is released with initial speed of zero. Assume that the string is vertical all times and...
  11. J

    Tension of string when an impulse is applied

    Homework Statement A particle A (mass m1) is suspended under ceiling by a light string of length L1. Another light string length L2 is connected to A at one end and connected to particle B(mass m2). They are stable under gravbity at first. Suddenly a horizontal strike is given to A and A has...
  12. A

    Pitch of sound: Elasticity vs Tension of string

    Hi there, I saw this question in a book. Basically, we are asked to comment on the effects of Tension of a guitar chord and the Elasticity of the chord itself on the frequency of the sound the guitar produces. I understand Elasticity will have a positive effect on the speed of sound, and...
  13. C

    Finding the Tension of string supporting a disc

    I am trying to write a simulation program for a relatively complicated mechanical system. Parts of it will be strings wrapped around discs under tension - with the discs moving and rotating. So, I decided to figure out the basics, and am stuck. The situation is thus: An unstretchable...
  14. S

    Tension of string between two blocks

    Homework Statement a 3.4 kg block A and 6.0 kg block Bvec are connected by a string of negligable mass. Force FA = (12 N) acts on block A; force FB = (24 N) acts on block B. What is the tension in the string? http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2610/imagepn.jpg Homework Equations F=ma...
  15. F

    Tension of string holding one mass to a wall, on top of another moving mass?

    Hello! This is my first post, I am taking an introductory physics course during my second semester of college and having some trouble with this problem. I hope I have followed the correct format, I appreciate any help that can be offered! Homework Statement A 4.82 kg block is placed on...
  16. L

    What is the tension in the suspended cord when masses are released?

    Homework Statement Suppose the pulley is suspended by a cord C Determine the tension in this cord after the masses are released and before one hits the ground. Ignore the mass of the pulley and cords. Mass 1 : 1.2kg Mass 2 : 3.2kg Pulley and String mass is negligible Homework...
  17. N

    Tension of String/ Mass question

    Homework Statement The figure shows two masses hanging from a steel wire. The mass of the wire is 60.0 g. A wave pulse travels along the wire from point 1 to point 2 in 24.0 ms. What is mass m? Homework Equations v = sqrt(Ts/mu)The Attempt at a Solution T=mu*v^2 t = 0.024s d = 4m v = d/t =...
  18. J

    Tension of string of pendulum at lowest point

    I have tried the following question in direction of conservation of mechanical energy, but not sure how this related to the tension of string. A 2.5-kg object suspended from the ceiling by a string that has a length of 2.5 m is released from rest with the string 40 below the horizontal...
  19. J

    Find tension of string in a pendulum

    Homework Statement A pendulum is 0.615 m long and the bob has a mass of 1.37 kg. When the string makes an angle of =14.1° with the vertical, the bob is moving at 1.40 m/s. Find the tangential and radial acceleration components and the tension in the string. [Hint: Draw an FBD for the bob...
  20. S

    Tension of string and circular motion question

    Let's say I hang an object of mass M from a string attached to the ceiling. The force of gravity on this object at rest would be [0,0,-Mg]. The tension force I assume would be [0,0,Mg] by Newton's third law. (Am I right on this?) Next, assume I start the object spinning in a horizontal circle...
  21. H

    How to Calculate the Tension in a Cable Supporting a Lever Rod?

    http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8772/leverrodtension3db.th.png How do I find the tension of the string? (The image is from a homework problem) I want to know how to approach it. (hence, I left the numbers out) ----------------------------------------------------- <edit> Here's the info...
  22. G

    Angular momentum and tension of string

    This problem is baffling me. A 3kg puck revolves in a circle on a frictionless table at the end of a 50cm long string. The puck's angular momentum is 3kg (m^2/s). What is the tension in the string? This what I did L= mrv therefore 3kg*.25m*v = 3kgm^2/2 v=4m/s F=(mv^2)/r...
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