Home
Back
Tension Formula:
| From: | To: |
Tension is the force transmitted through a string, rope, cable or wire when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. It is measured in newtons (N) in the International System of Units.
The calculator uses the tension formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the total tension force in a string when an object is accelerating. The first term represents the weight force, while the second term represents the additional force due to acceleration.
Details: Accurate tension calculation is crucial for engineering applications, physics experiments, safety assessments, and structural design where cables or strings are under load.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, gravitational acceleration in m/s² (default is Earth's gravity 9.81 m/s²), and acceleration in m/s². All values must be valid (mass > 0).
Q1: What is the standard value for gravitational acceleration?
A: On Earth, the standard gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.81 m/s², though it varies slightly with location and altitude.
Q2: When is the acceleration component zero?
A: When the object is stationary or moving at constant velocity (not accelerating), the acceleration component becomes zero, and tension equals the weight force.
Q3: Can tension be negative?
A: No, tension is always a positive value as it represents the magnitude of the force in the string. Strings can only pull, not push.
Q4: How does this apply to pulley systems?
A: In pulley systems, tension calculations help determine the forces required to lift loads and the mechanical advantage of the system.
Q5: What units should I use for the inputs?
A: Use kilograms for mass, meters per second squared for both gravitational acceleration and additional acceleration to get results in newtons.