Forces Acting on Materials and Objects:

• Tension - Forces causing an object to be stretched or pulled apart

  • e.g. tug of war

• Compression - Pushing forces that squeeze an object

  • e.g. drink can, table, chair

• Shear - Cutting by moving an object sideways and in opposite directions

  • e.g. scissors

• Bending - Forces causing an object to bend

  • e.g. ruler

• Torsion - Twisting forces on an object

  • e.g. cars

Enhancing Materials

• In order to resist forces and stresses.

• Rope -

  • Stretchy twisted strands

  • Resistant against tension

• Concrete -

  • Steel bars

  • High compressive strength and tension resistance

• Fabrics -

  • Contain strips of another material

• Timbers -

  • Laminating 2 pieces together

  • Resistant against tension, bending, and compression.