Tension Formulas - How to Calculate Tension Force
Tension refers to the pulling force transmitted axially by the means of a string, cable, chain, or similar one-dimensional continuous object, or by each end of a rod, or similar three-dimensional object; tension might also be described as the action-reaction pair of forces acting at each end of the said elements.
What is Tension Force?
In Latin, the word "tension" means "stretching". The force which is applied to the length of a flexible area such as a rope or a cable, or chain is referred to as tension formula force in physics. We know that a push or pull is indicated by a tension force. In physics, we are dealt with several types of forces like weight, normal force, push, collision, etc. The force or power based on how it works and transmits can be the ability to contact or non-contact. Tension force is the force of contact which is carried with a flexible medium length.
Often referred to as the power of the "action-reaction pair", the tension applies to each component of the adaptive object. If we consider any cross-linking, the part of the string on one side to the cross-section will use the force of action on the part of the string on the other side in the cross-section. Similarly, the second part of the cable uses the reaction power of the first part. So in any cross-section, we can see tension forces working on both sides. At the ends, the cord will apply pressure to the object connected to it (the force of gravity), and the object will use the reaction force of the rope towards it. The direction of this force corresponds to the length of the cord.
Things to Remember
Tension is a force that works in medium lengths, especially those that are flexible, such as rope or cord.
Tension force remains a gravitational force.
Total energy can be calculated as: Fnet = T − W = 0
T = W ± ma
If the body is moving upwards then the tension will be referred to as the T = W + ma.
When the body goes down, the thickness is the same as T = W - ma.
T = W if the discomfort is equal to body weight.
At the atomic level, when atoms or molecules are pulled apart from each other and gain potential energy with a restoring force still existing, the restoring force might create tension. Each end of a string or rod under such tension could pull on the object it is attached to, in order to restore the string/rod to its relaxed length.
Tension can be easily explained in the case of bodies hung from chain, cable, string etc. It is represented by T (occasionally also, denoted as Ft).
If such a hung body moves vertically with an acceleration a, then;
T = W ± ma
Where, W is the weight of the body and m is the mass of the body
Case (i) If the body is moving upwards, with acceleration a, the tension; T = W + ma
Case (ii) If the body is moving downwards, with acceleration a, the tension; T = W – ma
Case (iii) If the body is just suspended (not moving), the tension; T = W.
Case (iv) If the body moves up or down with uniform speed, tension; T = W
The weight of the object is W = mg.
Therefore, tension formula can be modified as:
T=m(g±a)
Where, m = mass of the body, g = acceleration due to gravity, a = acceleration of the moving body.
As tension is a force, its SI unit is newton (N).
Example:
A light and inextensible string support a body of mass of 15 kg hanging from its lower end. If the upper end of the string is firmly attached to a hook on the roof, then what is the tension in the string?
Solution:
As the body is not moving and just suspended, the tension in the string will be equal go the weight of the body. m = 15 kg
T = W = mg = 15 × 9.8 = 147 N
Example:
A monkey of mass 10 kg climbs up a light vertical string suspended from a hook with an acceleration of 2 m/s2. Find the tension in the string (take g = 10 m/s2)
Solution:
m = 10 kg, g = 10 m/s2, a = 2 m/s2
As the monkey moves up with an acceleration, the tension in the string will be equal to the apparent weight of the monkey.
i.e., T = m (g + a) = 10 (10 + 2) = 120 N
Question:
If M1 = 4 kg and M2 = 6 kg in the following figure, then T2 equals:
Options:
(a) 98 N
(b) 39.2 N
(c) 58.8 N
(d) 19.6 N
Answer: (c)
FAQs on Tension Formula
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2. Is Tension Formula a tough concept to understand?
Well, nothing is easy till you don't practice it. Tension Formula is not tough but it has a formula that involves deep thinking and analytical power to solve every problem sum. The experts at Vedantu have made sure that the students face no difficulty in solving out the questions of tension formula and enjoy unlimited benefits of the best website material. If you need to attain good marks in the exam then you must understand and study with patience and support. Therefore, we conclude that the tension formula is not a tough topic but it has a complex method that needs to be understood.
3. Is Tension force affected by gravity?
Tension force is the result of the presence of the electromagnetic forces which is developed in the ropes which is taut. Tension force is independent of gravity as when the rope is pulled under Tension force then the objects connect in its two ends. The magnitude of the force of tension is dependent on the force with which the pulling of the objects connected to it is happening. Therefore, the tension force is indirectly dependent on gravity as the force exerted by the objects is due to gravity. Whereas there are other situations as well it is independent of gravity.
4. What is the tension formula in pulley systems?
In physics, a pulley system is a common category of problem sums on physics which deals with the tension formula. A string or a rope is let out from a circular device called a pulley. Usually, in the high school physics study material, the pulleys are treated as massless and frictionless though which is never true in the real world. In the real world, physics ignores the mass of the rope as well. The first mass of the table is found then the net force on each block is calculated and then we apply Newton's law for relating it to acceleration.
5. Why is the tension force useful and referred to as the action-reaction pair force?
Vedantu has made an effort to bring out the solutions of tension formula as it is that force which acts along the length of a flexible medium like a rope or cable or chain. Therefore, the tension force is a contact force. This is carried in a length of a flexible medium. Tension Formula is commonly known as action-reaction pair force as the tension is acted upon each element of the flexible medium. Therefore, the students need to understand the meaning of the tension formula and its uses.