Every part of a structure is either pulled or pushed. Tension stretches a part — a swing chain, a crane cable, a tow rope, the cables of a suspension bridge. Compression squeezes a part — a pillar under a roof, a table leg, a bridge pier, the stones of an arch. A loaded beam has both: its top is squeezed and its bottom is stretched. When identical ropes or pillars share a load, each one carries an equal share.
Pulled or squeezed? — “ropes and cables are in tension; pillars, legs and arch stones are in compression”
Tension = pulled or stretched (ropes, chains, cables).
Compression = pushed or squeezed (pillars, legs, piers, arch stones).
Equal sharing: force on each = total load ÷ number of identical ropes or pillars.
Use it for: Designing model bridges and towers, understanding buildings and science lessons on forces in structures.
Worked example: 🪢 A concrete slab weighing 1200 N rests evenly on 6 identical pillars. What compression force does each pillar carry, in newtons? → 200
Work it out in your head or on paper, then tap your answer — or type it and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.
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🏁 Lesson 18 test
20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.
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