Tension is nothing but the drawing force acting on the body when it is hung from objects like chain, cable, string etc. It is represented by T (occasionally also symbolized as F_t).

Tension formula is articulated as

T=mg+ma

Where,

T= tension (N or kg-m/s²)

g = acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)

m =Mass of the body

a = Acceleration of the moving body

If the body is travelling upward, the tension will be T = mg+ ma
If the body is travelling downward, the tension will be T = mg – ma
If the tension is equivalent to the weight of body T = mg

Tension Formula is made use of to find the tension force acting on any object. It is useful for problems. Tension is a force so it is expressed in Newtons (N).

Tension Solved Examples

Underneath are questions based on tension which may be useful for you.

Problem 1: A 8 Kg mass is dangling at the end of a string. If the acceleration of the mass is

1. 3 m/s²in the upward direction
2.  3 m/s² in a downward direction

Find the tension in the string.

Answer:
Known:

m (Mass of the hanging body) = 8 Kg,
(a) If the body is travelling in the upward direction the tension force is articulated as
T = mg + ma = 8 × 9.8 + 8 × 3 = 102.4 N

(b) If the body is traveling in down direction, the tension force is articulated as
T = mg – ma = 8 × 9.8 – 8 × 3= 54.4 N