Tension (mechanics)

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In physics, tension is the magnitude of the pulling force exerted by a string, cable, chain, or similar object on another object. Tension is measured newtons or pounds-force and is always parallel to the string on which it applies. There are two basic possibilities for systems of objects held by strings.1 Either acceleration is zero and the system is therefore in equilibrium or there is acceleration and therefore a net force is present. Note that a string is assumed to have negligible mass.

Contents

System in equilibrium

A system is in equilibrium when the sum of all forces is zero.

\sum_ {} \vec{F} = 0 1

For example consider a system consisting of an object that is being lowered vertically by a string with tension, T, at a constant velocity. The system has a constant velocity and is therefore in equilibrium because the tension in the string (which is pulling up on the object) is equal to the force of gravity, mg, which is pulling down on the object. (Assume up is positive and down is negative.)

\sum_ {} \vec{F} = T - mg = 0 1

System under net force

A system has a net force when an unbalanced force is exerted on it. An equivalent statement is the sum of all forces is not zero. Acceleration and net force always exist together.

\sum_ {} \vec{F} \ne 01

For example consider the same system as above but suppose the object is now being lowered with in an increasing velocity downwards (negative acceleration) therefore there exists a net force somewhere in the system. In this case negative acceleration would indicate that | mg | > | T |.

\sum_ {} \vec{F} = T - mg \ne 01

Strings in modern physics

String-like objects in relativistic theories, such as the strings used in some models of interactions between quarks, or those used in the modern string theory, also possess tension. These strings are analyzed in terms of their world sheet, and the energy is then typically proportional to the length of the string. As a result, the tension in such strings is independent of the amount of stretching.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, Section 5.7. Seventh Edition, Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2008.

See also

Wikipedia content modification information:

  • This page was last modified on 1 December 2008, at 15:19.

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