All Textbook Topics - Forces introduction - Forces that cause a change of shape - Objects that are compressed will push outwards

Objects that are compressed will push outwards

When an object is compressed, you put it under tension and the material will push back against the initial force in an outwards direction.

An object like a spring, which will compress then return to it's original shape, will exert a higher force outwards the more it is compressed.

Here is a diagram to show the outwards force from a spring as it is being compressed:

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If an object that can change shape has outwards forces acting on it, then it will stretch
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Objects that are stretched will pull inwards

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