What type of internal stress is generated in a metal rod subjected to a tensile external force?

When a metal rod is subjected to a tensile external force, it experiences tensile stress. This type of stress occurs when forces are applied in such a manner that they pull the material apart, elongating the rod. The internal response of the material to this applied force is what defines tensile stress.

Tensile stress is calculated by taking the force applied to the rod and dividing it by the cross-sectional area of the rod. This gives a measure of how much internal resistance the material offers to being stretched. Metals, depending on their properties, can handle significant tensile stress without failing, which is why they are commonly used in construction, manufacturing, and various engineering applications.

In contrast, shear stress occurs when forces are applied parallel to a material's surface, compressive stress involves forces pushing inward and reducing length, and bending stress arises when a material is subjected to forces causing it to bend. None of these stress types apply in the same way to a rod under a tensile load as tensile stress does. Thus, the correct identification of this internal stress is fundamental in understanding material behavior under load.