Negative Tension: Myth or Reality?

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    Negative Tension
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of "negative tension," particularly in relation to physical objects like springs. Participants argue that while compression in springs can be viewed as a form of negative tension, ropes or strings cannot exhibit negative tension as they would simply go slack. The conversation also touches on the definition of tension, suggesting it may be considered an absolute value representing any stress deviating from zero.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly tension and compression.
  • Familiarity with the behavior of springs and elastic materials.
  • Knowledge of equilibrium states in physical systems.
  • Basic grasp of stress and strain in materials science.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of Hooke's Law and its application to springs.
  • Explore the definitions and differences between tension and compression in materials.
  • Investigate the concept of equilibrium in physical systems and its implications.
  • Learn about stress-strain relationships in materials science.
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Physics students, materials scientists, and engineers interested in the mechanics of materials and the behavior of elastic objects under various forces.

Himal kharel
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Is there anything such as negative tension?
 
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The first thing that came to mind is a spring. Let's say you have a condensed spring. There is tension; it will expand if allowed. I was thinking that maybe during expansion there would be something that could be called negative tension. However, as soon as the spring reaches its natural equilibrium length, and proceeds to expand beyond that due to momentum, there will be something I think could be characterized as tension pulling the spring back to its equilibrium length.

I hope I don't get an infraction for conjecture, but I thought this might help.

Jake
 
I guess compression could be thought of as "negative tension", and could be exhibited by springs or relatively stiff objects. But there would never be negative tension in a rope or string, since it would simply go slack and exert zero force.
 
Redbelly98 said:
I guess compression could be thought of as "negative tension", and could be exhibited by springs or relatively stiff objects. But there would never be negative tension in a rope or string, since it would simply go slack and exert zero force.

Isn't compression a form of tension since there are atoms out of equilibrium - or is that not part of the definition of tension?

Jake
 
Wouldn't tension be an absolute value? i.e. any stress deviating from zero, regardless of sign?
 

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