How do you understand tension in mechanics?

[Twilit_Truth]

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.

 

[rock.freak667]

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.

 

[Twilit_Truth]

Can you direct me to a visual representation please? I'm still confused.

 

[rock.freak667]

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?

 

[Twilit_Truth]

I see. That helps, thank you SO much.