What is the relationship between tension and compression?

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SUMMARY

Tension is defined as a pulling force that acts to stretch an object, opposing other forces such as gravity. In practical examples, when holding a book, the force exerted by the hand creates tension that counteracts the gravitational force acting on the book. Conversely, compression is the force that pushes objects together, as seen when a screw is turned in to hold materials together. The relationship between tension and compression is fundamental in understanding how forces interact in physical systems.

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  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, specifically forces
  • Familiarity with gravitational force and its effects
  • Knowledge of tension and compression in materials
  • Basic mechanics of objects in equilibrium
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, engineers, and anyone interested in the mechanics of forces and their applications in real-world scenarios.

Himal kharel
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What actually is tension
 
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A force that opposes all other forces is what I would think. Suppose you are holding a book, so that it becomes at rest. The tension is your force holding it, because you are opposing all other forces affecting the acceleration of the book. In the case of holding the book, the only force affecting the book is gravitational force. So, you are opposing gravitationa force (putting tension on the book) equal to the gravitational force so that it won't accelerate either down or up. If you opposed force more than the gravitational force of the book, then it would start accelerating upward for sometime.
 


Himal kharel said:
What actually is tension

It's a pulling force. It results in stretching of the object that it's acting on.

It is the opposite of compression.
 


Rayquesto said:
A force that opposes all other forces is what I would think. Suppose you are holding a book, so that it becomes at rest. The tension is your force holding it, because you are opposing all other forces affecting the acceleration of the book. In the case of holding the book, the only force affecting the book is gravitational force. So, you are opposing gravitationa force (putting tension on the book) equal to the gravitational force so that it won't accelerate either down or up. If you opposed force more than the gravitational force of the book, then it would start accelerating upward for sometime.
No, if you are holding the book with a flat hand under it, there is NO "tension" on the book. I agree with LSOS- "tension" is specifically a force that tends to pull something apart. For example if you have a weight suspended from the ceiling by a cable, the weight exerts a force on the cable downward, the attachment to the ceiling exerts a force upward- the cable is under tension.

(Of course , "surface tension" is another thing entirely.)
 


ok! never thought of it that way! thanks!
 


thanks bro
 


Tension is the opposite of compression...

In the book and hand example posted, there is compression of each...

When you turn a screw in and press down on it there is some compression; once in place when its holding things together there is some tension.

"Tension" is also what I feel when I am nervous!
 

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