Which type of stress is caused by pulling forces?

The type of stress caused by pulling forces is tension. When an object is subjected to pulling forces, the material experiences tension as the fibers or molecules within the material are stretched apart. This tensile stress can lead to deformation or failure if the forces exceed the material's strength.

In the context of structures or materials, understanding tension is crucial because it helps engineers and designers determine how materials will behave under load. For example, beams in a bridge that support the weight of vehicles experience tension at the bottom of the beam when the load is applied. Recognizing where tensile stress occurs allows for more effective design and safety measures in engineering applications.

Other types of stress, such as compression, sheer, and bending, involve different forces or interactions. Compression involves pushing forces, sheer relates to forces acting parallel to the material surface, and bending combines both tensile and compressive forces in a single scenario. This understanding emphasizes the importance of tension in material science and structural engineering.