2.8 Tension/Pulley Systems & Spring Forces

Tension

Tension is the force transmitted through a rope, cable, or string when it is pulled tight. It always acts along the direction of the rope and away from the object it’s attached to. Tension is represented by ${T}$ or ${F_T}$.

In ideal strings (massless and inextensible), the tension is constant throughout the string. If the string has mass or stretches, tension varies along its length—but AP Physics C: Mechanics assumes ideal strings.