What is the internal force generated in an object that allows it to resist external forces?

The internal force generated in an object that allows it to resist external forces is referred to as stress. Stress is defined as the internal resistance of a material to deformation when subjected to an external load. It is quantified as the force applied per unit area within the material.

When external forces act on an object, they create a tendency for the material to deform or change shape. Stress acts internally to counteract this deformation, ensuring that the material maintains its structural integrity. Stress can manifest in different forms, such as tensile stress (when forces are applied to stretch the material), compressive stress (when forces are applied to compress it), and shear stress (when parallel forces act in opposite directions).

This understanding of stress is critical in fields such as engineering and materials science, where it is essential to know how materials will respond under different external conditions to design safe and effective structures and components.