Tension (physics)

Tension is a reaction force applied by a stretched string (rope or a similar object) on the objects which stretch it. The direction of the force of tension is parallel to the string, away from the object exerting the stretching force. So if an object hangs from a rope due to gravity, the gravitational force on the object points downward, and there is an equal tension force in the rope point upward, making the net force on the object equal to zero.