Explaining Tension: Get Help Now

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Tension is described as a force that acts in opposition to another force, such as gravity, particularly in scenarios involving ropes or cables. When a weight is suspended from a rope, the tension in the rope counteracts the downward force of the weight, maintaining equilibrium. Visual representations can aid in understanding this concept, though specific resources were not provided in the discussion. The explanation clarifies that for a system to be in equilibrium, the tension must equal the weight acting downward. Understanding tension is crucial for grasping basic physics principles related to forces and equilibrium.
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Could someone PLEASE explain tension to me? Even a link to another site than can explain it would be great. For some reason I have never understood it very well.


Thank you for your time.
 
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I would think tension is like a normal reaction force. For example, if a rope is held vertically with a weight on the end. There is a force acting on the rope opposite in direction to the force that gravity exerts on the weight. That force is tension.
 
Can you direct me to a visual representation please? I'm still confused.
 
Well I do not know where I can get visual representation. But think of it like this;If you have a weight suspended from a rope, and the rope-weight system is in equilibrium. Do you agree that the weight acts vertically downwards?If so, for the system to be in equilibrium should there not be a force equal and opposite in direction to the weight?
 
I see. That helps, thank you SO much.
 

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