Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

What is the term used to describe a force that pulls on a material?

1. Torsion

2. Compression

3. Shear force

4. Tension

The correct answer is: Tension

The term that describes a force that pulls on a material is "tension." Tension occurs when forces are applied in opposite directions, effectively stretching or elongating the material, which may include cables, ropes, or other structural components. Understanding tension is crucial in civil engineering, particularly in the design of structures such as bridges, where components like cables are subjected to tensile forces. Tension helps maintain the integrity and stability of these structures by ensuring that they can withstand the loads imposed upon them without failing. In contrast, the other terms describe different types of forces: torsion refers to twisting forces, compression involves forces that push or compress a material, and shear force represents forces that cause sliding or deformation along a plane within a material. Each of these forces has distinct effects on materials and structures, but tension specifically relates to the pulling action.