Physics: Mechanics

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

Can Tension ever be negative? Also, is it a scalar or a vector?

John Ping

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[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

i think negative would just imply the opposite direction

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

But then that is an equilibrium problem.

I'm just talking Tension in general.

 

[squeak12 10+ year member]

Negative tension would be compression.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

i probobly shouldnt even be replying to this, but when i think of tension i think of a string someone is holding between their fingers. there is only so much tension. once their fingers get closer together then tension is either 0 or none at all.

this question is prolly out of my league and my reply probobly has no answer to anything, but i just threw it out there

 

[squeak12 10+ year member]

A string can only be in tension. You can't push a string. A solid, however, such as a metal rod or a metal bar can have compression or tension.

 

[Bigbear 10+ year member]

tension is a vector and in mechanics cannot be negative i believe. the reason i think it cant be negative wud mean that tension is going in the opposite direction and since its a vector (which takes care of the direction) i dont believe it can actually be negative, otherwise you could just flip the direction 180 degrees

 

[Crzy 10+ year member]

tension cannot be negative or else it is called compression in mechanics of materials. also it is a vector because it has force and direction

 

[Spud2388 10+ year member]

tension cannot be negative or else it is called compression in mechanics of materials. also it is a vector because it has force and direction

Bingo! negative tension is compression. im in the process of learning this stuff right now. good ole NC State education for ya!