Which term describes stretching or pulling of a component?

• A. Force
• B. Tension
• C. Beams; Rafters
• D. Walls

Answer: (B)

Stretching or pulling of a component is described as tension. Tension is an axial load that acts along the length of a member to elongate it, producing tensile stress within the material. It’s the specific state created when a part is pulled apart, as opposed to a general force which can be any push or pull on an object. Beams, rafters, and walls are types of structural components, not the term for stretching itself; the action of being stretched applies to elements like cables or rods under tension. Understanding tension helps you assess how members behave under pulling loads, including how they elongate and what happens if the material reaches its limit.