What term describes the force transmitted through a substance when it is pulled tight from opposite ends?

The term that describes the force transmitted through a substance when it is pulled tight from opposite ends is tension. Tension occurs in materials that are being stretched, where the force exerted on both ends acts to pull the material apart.

In the context of physics and biology, tension can be seen in various structures like tendons in muscles, cables in suspension bridges, and even in the molecular structures of proteins. When a muscle contracts, it creates tension in the tendons, which then transmit this force to the bones to create movement. Understanding tension is crucial because it helps explain how forces operate within biological systems and structures.

The other terms describe different types of forces: compression refers to forces that push or squeeze a material together, shear relates to forces that cause layers of a material to slide past each other, and torque refers to rotational force. Tension is unique in that it specifically involves pulling forces exerted on an object or material, which is why it is the correct term for the scenario given.