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Tension

Tension is a pulling force that acts along the length of a flexible medium, such as a rope, cable, string, or muscle, transmitting force from one point to another while remaining parallel to the medium's axis.^[1] The term derives from the Latin word tendere, meaning "to stretch," reflecting its role in extending or pulling materials under load.^[1] In physics and engineering, tension is a contact force denoted by the symbol T, and it exclusively pulls objects without the ability to push.^[2] In classical mechanics, tension is fundamental to analyzing equilibrium and dynamic systems involving flexible connectors, such as pulleys, bridges, and suspension cables, where it is often idealized as uniform in magnitude throughout a massless and inextensible medium.^[2] For instance, when a rope supports a stationary mass m under gravity, the tension equals the object's weight mg, calculated as approximately 49.0 N for a 5.00-kg object on Earth.^[1] In more complex scenarios, like a tightrope sagging under a walker's weight, tension can reach thousands of newtons, balancing vertical and horizontal components via trigonometric relations, such as T = F_\perp / (2 \sin \theta) where θ is the angle from horizontal.^[1] Beyond mechanics, tension manifests in biological contexts, where muscles generate it through contraction to move limbs via tendons acting as flexible transmitters, and in materials science, where it describes the stretching of atomic bonds until failure under tensile stress.^[3] These applications highlight tension's role in everyday structures like bicycle brakes, which redirect force around curves without altering magnitude in ideal cases, and in engineering designs ensuring load-bearing capacity.^[2]

Physical sciences

Mechanical tension

Mechanical tension refers to the pulling force transmitted through a flexible medium, such as a rope, string, or cable, when forces act on its opposite ends, always directed along the length of the medium and incapable of pushing.^[3] This force arises from the medium's resistance to being stretched and is uniform throughout an ideal massless string in equilibrium.^[4] The concept of mechanical tension emerged in early modern mechanics through studies by Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton. In his Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences (1638), Galileo analyzed the tensile strength of cords and their behavior in pulley systems, laying groundwork for understanding forces in flexible materials. Newton further developed this in Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687), where he applied his laws of motion to tensions in strings and cords, treating tension as an internal force balancing external loads in static and dynamic setups. In static equilibrium, mechanical tension can be represented mathematically for simple systems. Consider a mass m suspended from a ceiling by a massless string under gravity g. The forces acting on the mass are the downward weight mg and the upward tension T. By Newton's second law, the net force is zero: T - mg = 0, so T = mg.^[5] This derivation assumes no acceleration and highlights tension's role in counteracting gravitational force. A key dynamic example is Atwood's machine, consisting of two masses m_1 and m_2 (with m_1 > m_2) connected by a massless string over a frictionless pulley. The tension T is the same throughout the string. Applying Newton's second law to each mass yields: for m_1, m_1 g - T = m_1 a; for m_2, T - m_2 g = m_2 a, where a is the magnitude of acceleration.^[6] Adding these equations eliminates T: m_1 g - m_2 g = m_1 a + m_2 a, so g (m_1 - m_2) = a (m_1 + m_2), and thus a = g \frac{m_1 - m_2}{m_1 + m_2}. Substituting back into the equation for m_1: T = m_1 (g - a) = m_1 g \left(1 - \frac{m_1 - m_2}{m_1 + m_2}\right) = m_1 g \left(\frac{m_1 + m_2 - m_1 + m_2}{m_1 + m_2}\right) = m_1 g \frac{2 m_2}{m_1 + m_2}. Similarly, using the equation for m_2 confirms T = \frac{2 m_1 m_2 g}{m_1 + m_2}.^[6] This formula illustrates how tension depends on both masses and gravity in accelerated systems. In engineering applications, mechanical tension is essential for supporting loads in structures like suspension bridges, elevators, and cranes. In suspension bridges, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, main cables experience tension that forms a catenary curve due to their own weight and the suspended deck, with horizontal and vertical components balancing the load.^[7] For elevators, the tension in the hoist cables must exceed the car's weight to provide upward acceleration, typically calculated with a safety factor to prevent failure. Cranes rely on tension in wire ropes to lift heavy loads, where dynamic forces from swinging or sudden stops can increase stress, requiring robust materials like steel.^[8]

Surface tension

Surface tension is a physical property of the liquid surface that arises from the cohesive forces between molecules, manifesting as a force per unit length, denoted by \gamma and measured in newtons per meter (N/m), which acts to minimize the surface area.^[9] This property enables liquids to resist external forces and adopt shapes that reduce their interfacial area, such as spherical droplets.^[10] At the molecular level, surface tension originates from the imbalance of intermolecular attractive forces at the liquid-air interface. Molecules within the bulk of the liquid experience equal cohesive forces from all directions, resulting in no net force, whereas surface molecules are pulled inward by neighboring molecules below and to the sides, but lack equivalent attractions from above, creating a net inward force that contracts the surface like a taut skin.^[9] This imbalance increases the potential energy associated with the surface, equivalent to the work required to expand the interfacial area by one unit, further quantifying \gamma as surface energy per unit area.^[10] Observations of surface tension phenomena date back to Leonardo da Vinci in the late 15th century, who noted capillary rise in small tubes and attributed it to adhesive properties of liquids, though without a quantitative framework.^[11] The concept was formalized in the early 19th century through the independent contributions of Thomas Young and Pierre-Simon Laplace, who developed the theoretical basis for capillary pressures and interfacial forces, establishing surface tension as a fundamental parameter in fluid mechanics.^[11] A prominent manifestation of surface tension is capillary action, the spontaneous rise or depression of a liquid in a narrow tube due to the interplay of cohesive and adhesive forces. In a hydrophilic tube, the liquid wets the walls, forming a concave meniscus with contact angle \theta < 90^\circ, where the upward component of surface tension pulls the liquid column against gravity. The equilibrium height h of the rise is derived from a force balance: the vertical force due to surface tension along the tube's inner circumference equals the weight of the supported liquid column. The upward force is $2\pi r \gamma \cos\theta, where r is the tube radius, as the surface tension acts tangentially along the contact line and its vertical projection is \gamma \cos\theta per unit length over the perimeter $2\pi r.^[10] The downward gravitational force is the weight \pi r^2 h \rho g, with \rho as liquid density and g as gravitational acceleration. Setting these equal yields:

$2\pi r \gamma \cos\theta = \pi r^2 h \rho g

Solving for h:

h = \frac{2\gamma \cos\theta}{\rho g r}

This relation holds for small tubes where the meniscus approximates a spherical cap, and it explains phenomena like water rising in plant xylem or mercury depression in glass.^[10] Surface tension is measured using techniques that quantify the force or shape influenced by interfacial tension. The Wilhelmy plate method involves suspending a thin, wettable platinum plate from a sensitive balance and immersing it partially into the liquid; the measured force F at the meniscus, divided by the wetted perimeter P, gives \gamma = F / P, suitable for dynamic measurements and small sample volumes.^[12] The du Noüy ring method uses a platinum ring pulled upward through the liquid-air interface, recording the maximum pull-off force F_{\max} as the film detaches; \gamma is calculated as F_{\max} / (4\pi R), where R is the ring radius, though corrections for ring geometry are needed for accuracy.^[12] The pendant drop technique analyzes the shape of a hanging drop via optical imaging, fitting the profile to the Young-Laplace equation \Delta P = \gamma \left( \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} \right), where R_1 and R_2 are principal radii of curvature, using known density to solve iteratively for \gamma; this is non-contact and ideal for low volumes.^[12] In applications, surface tension governs the excess pressure inside soap bubbles, where the thin film has two air-liquid interfaces. For a spherical bubble of radius r, the Young-Laplace equation predicts an internal overpressure \Delta P = \frac{4\gamma}{r}, derived by balancing the surface tension forces along a hemispherical section: each interface contributes $2\gamma / r, doubling for the film, which inflates the bubble against external pressure.^[9] This principle stabilizes bubbles in soaps and foams used in cleaning and fire suppression. Surface tension also enables insects like water striders (Gerridae) to locomote on water surfaces, as their hydrophobic, hairy legs distribute weight to dimple the interface without breaking it, with a single leg providing maximum supporting force up to 15 times the body weight via vertical tension components of approximately 1.5 mN.^[13] In industrial processes, such as inkjet printing, surface tension controls droplet formation and ejection from nozzles; inks with optimized \gamma (typically 25–40 mN/m) ensure stable satellite-free droplets under piezoelectric actuation, influencing jet breakup and substrate wetting for high-resolution patterning in electronics and displays.^[14]

Physiology and psychology

Muscle tension

Muscle tension refers to the force generated within muscle fibers during contraction, primarily through the interaction of actin and myosin proteins forming cross-bridges that pull the filaments together.^[15] This force can be measured as muscle tone, which is the continuous low-level tension present in resting muscles to maintain posture, or as tetanic force, the maximum sustained tension achieved during high-frequency stimulation that fuses individual twitches into a smooth contraction.^[16] Two primary types of muscle contractions characterize tension generation: isometric and isotonic. In isometric contractions, muscle length remains constant while tension increases, as seen when holding a heavy object steady without joint movement, allowing force buildup without sarcomere shortening.^[17] Conversely, isotonic contractions maintain constant tension as muscle length changes, either shortening (concentric, like lifting a weight) or lengthening (eccentric, like lowering it controlledly), enabling movement against a load.^[17] The physiological mechanism of muscle tension relies on the sliding filament theory, where thin actin filaments slide past thick myosin filaments within the sarcomere to shorten the muscle unit. Contraction begins with a nerve impulse triggering calcium ion (Ca²⁺) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, raising cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels and binding to troponin, which shifts tropomyosin to expose myosin-binding sites on actin.^[15] Myosin heads then form cross-bridges with actin, powered by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis: ATP binds to myosin, releasing it from actin; hydrolysis cocks the head into a high-energy state; and inorganic phosphate release initiates the power stroke, pulling actin toward the sarcomere center while ADP detaches.^[15] This cyclic cross-bridge activity generates tension, with ATP also essential for detaching bridges to allow relaxation when Ca²⁺ is pumped back.^[15] The relationship between tension and contraction velocity is described by Hill's equation, derived from experiments measuring heat production and mechanical work in frog sartorius muscle, revealing that energy liberation during shortening is proportional to tension.^[18] To arrive at the solution, Hill plotted velocity (V) against relative load (P/P₀, where P is instantaneous tension and P₀ is maximum isometric tension) and fitted a hyperbolic curve, noting that the product of velocity and a load-related factor approximates a constant based on energetic efficiency; rearranging yields the characteristic equation:

(P + a)(V + b) = (P_0 + a)b

Here, a and b are constants (typically a/P₀ ≈ 0.25 and b is maximum shortening velocity), capturing the inverse hyperbolic relation where maximum velocity occurs at zero load and maximum tension at zero velocity.^[18] This model stems from muscle energetics, as heat-shortening proportionality implies balanced force-velocity trade-offs for efficient locomotion.^[19] Muscle tension is commonly measured using electromyography (EMG), which records electrical activity in muscle fibers via surface or needle electrodes, correlating action potential amplitude and frequency to tension levels during rest, mild, or forceful contractions.^[20] Higher tension activates more motor units, increasing EMG signals, though it indirectly estimates force as electrical activity precedes mechanical output.^[20] Chronic muscle tension can lead to health issues such as spasms, where sustained high tone causes involuntary contractions due to fatigue or electrolyte imbalances, often manifesting as painful cramps in overworked muscles.^[21] It may also contribute to hypertension, as prolonged tension from stress activates sympathetic responses, elevating blood pressure over time through vascular constriction and hormonal changes.^[22] A notable example is rigor mortis, the post-mortem stiffening occurring 1–2 hours after death due to ATP depletion, preventing cross-bridge detachment and locking actin-myosin bonds, which peaks at 12 hours before autolysis resolves it.^[23] In evolutionary terms, muscle tension has been crucial for vertebrate locomotion and posture, enabling the transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments via endoskeletons that leverage antagonistic muscle pairs for efficient movement and upright support.^[24] This adaptation allowed larger body sizes and complex gaits, with tension maintaining balance against gravity in land vertebrates.^[24]

Emotional tension

Emotional tension refers to a psychological state characterized by cognitive and affective strain arising from conflicting internal or external demands, often manifesting as feelings of stress, unease, or anxiety.^[25] This strain disrupts emotional equilibrium and can be triggered by perceived threats to personal security or unmet needs.^[26] In psychological terms, it is frequently synonymous with emotional stress, involving heightened mental discomfort that interferes with daily functioning.^[27] Common causes of emotional tension include cognitive dissonance, where individuals experience mental discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes, prompting efforts to resolve the inconsistency.^[28] Interpersonal conflicts, such as disagreements in relationships, also generate this tension by creating relational stressors that escalate emotional distress.^[29] Environmental pressures, including exposure to noise, pollution, or social instability, further contribute by amplifying perceived threats and overwhelming coping resources.^[30] From a theoretical perspective, Clark Hull's drive reduction theory posits that psychic tension builds from unfulfilled biological or psychological drives, motivating behaviors aimed at restoring homeostasis and reducing this internal pressure.^[31] Physiologically, emotional tension activates the sympathetic nervous system, initiating the fight-or-flight response with increased heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline release to prepare for perceived threats.^[32] This process also elevates cortisol levels from the adrenal glands, which mobilizes energy but can lead to somatic manifestations like muscle tension if prolonged.^[33] In the short term, these responses heighten alertness and focus, enhancing adaptive reactions to stressors as described in the alarm stage of Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).^[34] However, long-term exposure results in the resistance and exhaustion stages of GAS, where chronic cortisol elevation contributes to burnout, weakened immunity, and mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).^[35] Effective management of emotional tension involves evidence-based techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which targets maladaptive thoughts and behaviors to alleviate anxiety and stress by promoting healthier cognitive patterns.^[36] Mindfulness practices, by fostering present-moment awareness, reduce emotional reactivity and lower stress responses, including anxiety and depression symptoms.^[37] Progressive muscle relaxation, a systematic method of tensing and releasing muscle groups, further aids in decreasing physical and emotional tension, enhancing overall relaxation and coping efficacy.^[38] Historically, ancient Stoic philosophy viewed emotional tension through the lens of ataraxia, an ideal state of serene tranquility free from anxiety and emotional disturbance, achieved by aligning one's judgments with rational virtue.^[39] In modern psychology, post-World War II trauma research advanced understanding of emotional tension by documenting its long-term effects in veterans, leading to the recognition of conditions like PTSD and influencing therapeutic approaches to chronic stress.^[40]

Arts and literature

Dramatic tension

Dramatic tension refers to the emotional strain generated by uncertainty, conflict, and high stakes within a narrative, which sustains audience engagement by creating anticipation of impending outcomes. This anticipation arises from thwarted desires or opposing forces, often described as the "tingle of excitement" that propels readers or viewers forward through the story. In essence, it functions as a core driver of narrative momentum, transforming potential boredom into compelling involvement by highlighting the precarious balance between characters' goals and obstacles. Key techniques for building dramatic tension include foreshadowing, which subtly hints at future conflicts to heighten unease; cliffhangers, that abruptly halt action at critical moments to prolong suspense; and the rising action phase in Freytag's pyramid, where escalating complications intensify the central conflict leading toward the climax. In this structure, tension mounts as characters encounter mounting obstacles that thwart their objectives, creating a progressive buildup of emotional investment. Aristotle's Poetics further underscores this through the concept of catharsis, where tragedy evokes pity and fear—emotions rooted in tension—culminating in their purification, thereby providing audiences with a profound release tied to the narrative's unresolved strains. In literature, dramatic tension is often amplified through strategic revelation timing, as exemplified by Alfred Hitchcock's "bomb under the table" theory, where informing the audience of a hidden threat in advance sustains prolonged suspense rather than mere surprise from an unexpected event. This approach, applicable to suspense novels, leverages foreknowledge to transform ordinary scenes into riveting ones, as the audience's awareness of the ticking danger fosters empathy and dread over the characters' ignorance. Such methods emphasize withholding resolution to exploit uncertainty, ensuring the stakes feel immediate and personal. In theater and film, tension is heightened via pacing, which controls rhythm through varying scene lengths to evoke urgency or deliberation; dialogue interruptions, such as clipped exchanges or strategic silences that convey unspoken conflicts; and mise-en-scène, where elements like shadowy lighting and vulnerable staging suggest impending peril without explicit action. These visual and verbal tools collaborate to immerse audiences, using pauses in conversation to underscore power imbalances or environmental cues to foreshadow doom, thereby amplifying the narrative's emotional pull. Psychologically, dramatic tension engages viewers through mirror neuron activation, which simulates observed emotions and actions, fostering empathy and deeper immersion in the characters' plight. This neural mirroring allows audiences to vicariously experience the story's strains, enhancing emotional connection and the cathartic payoff, as the brain processes fictional conflicts similarly to real interpersonal dynamics. The evolution of dramatic tension traces from ancient Greek tragedy, where it emerged through choral odes and divine interventions to explore fate and hubris, to Shakespearean drama, which internalized these elements via introspective soliloquies like those in Hamlet to reveal psychological turmoil and delay resolution. In Hamlet, such monologues build tension by exposing the protagonist's indecision amid revenge motifs borrowed from Greek models, adapting classical catharsis into more character-driven suspense that influenced modern thrillers.

Musical tension

Musical tension refers to the perceptual sense of instability or unease generated by dissonant intervals or unresolved harmonic structures in music, which evokes a listener's expectation of subsequent resolution to a more stable state. This phenomenon is central to Western music theory, where tension arises from elements that deviate from tonal consonance, prompting a drive toward harmonic closure.^[41]^[42] In Western music theory, tension is often created through specific dissonant intervals such as the tritone, an augmented fourth or diminished fifth spanning six semitones, which introduces perceptual friction due to its unstable frequency relationship. Suspended notes, where a chord tone is delayed in resolving to the expected harmony, further heighten this instability by prolonging dissonance. Schenkerian analysis provides a theoretical framework for understanding tension across structural levels, distinguishing foreground details—like immediate dissonances—that generate surface-level instability from the background's underlying tonal structure, which ultimately resolves these tensions through prolongation and linear progression.^[43]^[44]^[45] Composers build musical tension through various methods, including harmonic progressions that employ the dominant seventh chord, which incorporates a tritone between its third and seventh degrees to create urgent pull toward the tonic chord. Rhythmic syncopation contributes by accentuating off-beats or weak pulses, disrupting expected metric flow and fostering a sense of anticipation or unease. Dynamic swells, such as gradual crescendos, amplify this effect by increasing volume progressively, intensifying emotional pressure before release.^[46]^[47]^[48] Resolution of tension typically occurs via cadences, formulaic chord progressions that provide closure; a perfect cadence, progressing from dominant (V) to tonic (I), delivers full harmonic stability, while an imperfect cadence, such as tonic to dominant (I-V), offers partial relief but sustains some expectancy. In Beethoven's symphonies, these mechanisms are vividly employed; for instance, in the first movement of Symphony No. 5, half-cadences at thematic closures build escalating tension through repeated dominant implications, resolved dramatically in the recapitulation's perfect cadence, heightening the work's narrative arc.^[49]^[50] Cultural variations in musical tension extend beyond Western traditions, as seen in non-Western scales and practices. In Indian classical music, ragas employ meends—smooth glissandi between notes—to evoke nuanced emotional tension, gliding through microtonal inflections that intensify the raga's affective mood without relying on fixed dissonance. Similarly, African polyrhythms generate tension through the simultaneous layering of contrasting rhythmic cycles, where interlocking patterns create perceptual friction and a compelling demand for metric reconciliation, engaging listeners in active temporal navigation.^[51]^[52]^[53] Acoustically, musical tension in dissonant intervals stems from psychoacoustic principles, where inharmonious frequency ratios produce auditory beats—rapid amplitude fluctuations perceived as roughness. For example, the major second interval, with a just intonation ratio of 9:8, yields beats between partials that render it dissonant and tense, contrasting with simpler ratios like 3:2 for the perfect fifth, which minimize such interference and promote consonance.^[54]^[55]

Entertainment media

Films and television

"Tension" is a 1949 American film noir thriller directed by John Berry, starring Richard Basehart as Warren Quimby, a mild-mannered pharmacist whose life unravels when his wife Claire (Audrey Totter) begins an affair with a slick salesman, Barney Deager (Lloyd Gough). Enraged, Quimby meticulously plans the perfect murder, creating a false identity as "Earl Groat"—a brash, mustachioed alter ego complete with an alibi involving a weekend trip to Santa Monica—but his scheme collapses when Deager is killed by an unknown assailant before Quimby can act. The story unfolds in flashback during an interrogation by sharp-witted homicide lieutenant Collier Bonnabel (Barry Sullivan), who applies psychological pressure to unravel the truth, with Cyd Charisse appearing as a pivotal love interest and witness. Produced by MGM as a low-budget B-movie, the film exemplifies classic noir elements like moral ambiguity, shadowy cinematography by Harry Stradling Sr., and themes of deception and revenge.^[56]^[57] Critically, "Tension" garnered praise for its tight pacing and strong performances, particularly Totter's portrayal of the manipulative femme fatale, though some reviewers noted its predictable plot twists; it holds a 65% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 32 reviews, with consensus highlighting its "taut direction" and "solid cast."^[58] At the box office, it achieved modest success for a second feature, ranking among the year's lower-grossing releases but benefiting from double-bill pairings with bigger MGM productions.^[59] In television, episodes titled "Tension" have explored psychological and interpersonal strain in various series. The 1959 episode "Tension" from "The Rifleman," directed by Don Medford, centers on Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors) protecting a widow, Mary Tiller (Joan Taylor), from her brothers-in-law who arrive in North Fork seeking revenge, believing he killed her husband (a train robber) in self-defense during a confrontation, building suspense through escalating threats and moral dilemmas without resorting to gunplay until necessary.^[60] This Western installment, written by Arthur Browne Jr., aired on October 13, 1959, and emphasized community protection and hidden pasts, earning acclaim for its character-driven narrative and restraint in violence.^[60] Similarly, the 1957 episode "Tension" from "The Loretta Young Show," directed by John Newland, features Young as author Grace Morton, whose success breeds relational strife with her husband (Vaughn Taylor), culminating in a crisis of conscience over her callous behavior.^[61] These episodes use the title to underscore mounting emotional pressure, a motif echoed in modern anthology series like "Black Mirror," though without direct titled matches, where psychological tension drives plots in entries such as "White Bear" (2013). Thematically, tension as suspense has been central to landmark films, notably "Jaws" (1975), directed by Steven Spielberg, where escalating dread surrounds a shark terrorizing Amity Island, achieved through masterful editing and withheld reveals that amplify audience anxiety over 124 minutes. This approach transformed blockbuster filmmaking by prioritizing narrative buildup over immediate spectacle. Production trends in building cinematic tension have evolved significantly from the silent era's reliance on intertitles, exaggerated gestures, and rapid cross-cutting—as pioneered by D.W. Griffith in "The Birth of a Nation" (1915)—to the sound era's integration of dialogue and ambient noise for psychological depth, exemplified by Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960). The advent of CGI in the late 20th century further revolutionized this, enabling seamless creation of immersive threats in films like "Jurassic Park" (1993), where digital dinosaurs heighten visceral suspense through realistic scale and unpredictability, contrasting silent film's physical props and matte paintings.^[62] Today, hybrid techniques combine practical effects with VFX to sustain prolonged tension in blockbusters, maintaining the core principle of audience anticipation amid technological advancements.^[63]

Music

In music, "Tension" has been used as a title for various albums, songs, and bands across genres, often evoking themes of emotional strain, anticipation, or rhythmic buildup. One prominent example is Kylie Minogue's sixteenth studio album Tension, released on September 22, 2023, by BMG Rights Management, which blends dance-pop with electronic elements to explore personal and relational dynamics. The album features 11 tracks, including highlights like the lead single "Padam Padam" and the title track "Tension," characterized by pulsating synths and lyrics delving into the push-pull of desire, such as "Strangers in the night / Tension in the air." It debuted at No. 1 on the Australian Albums Chart and the UK Albums Chart, with 53,000 chart sales in its first week in the UK, marking Minogue's ninth UK No. 1 album.^[64]^[65] A follow-up, Tension II, was released on October 18, 2024, also debuting at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart with over 28,800 chart units in its first 48 hours.^[66] Another notable release is the reggae album Tension by Jamaican group Wailing Souls, issued in 1997 on VP Records, focusing on social and personal unrest amid Jamaica's socio-political climate of the era. Key tracks include "Mr. Fire Cole Man," a roots reggae critique of exploitation, and the title song "Tension," which uses dub-infused rhythms to convey societal pressure, with lyrics like "Tension all around, can't find no peace." The album received critical acclaim for its raw production and vocal harmonies but achieved modest commercial success.^[67] For songs titled "Tension," JP Saxe's 2021 track from his debut album Dangerous Levels of Introspection stands out as an indie pop ballad addressing interpersonal conflict and vulnerability. Released via Arista Records, it features acoustic guitar and introspective lyrics such as "Sometimes, tension brings us closer"; the song charted modestly on Billboard's Adult Pop Airplay, reaching No. 35, and earned praise for its emotional authenticity. In a harder-edged vein, Queens of the Stone Age's "Tension Head" from their 2000 album Rated R (Interscope Records) delivers stoner rock intensity with driving riffs and Josh Homme's snarling vocals about mental overload, including lines like "I got a tension headache / My head is hanging low." The track exemplifies the band's raw energy and contributed to the album's No. 14 debut on the Billboard 200. Bands named Tension span metal and hardcore genres, highlighting the term's association with high-stakes energy. The American heavy metal band Tension, formed in Laurel, Maryland, in 1985 (originally as Deuce in 1978), released their sole full-length album Breaking Point in 1986 via Metalgrind Productions, blending power and speed metal with tracks like "Digital Battlefield" and "Breakin' Point," driven by aggressive guitars and themes of rebellion. The group disbanded around 1990 amid the shifting metal landscape but influenced underground scenes; a 2002 reunion yielded limited demos before going on hiatus.^[68]^[69] In hardcore punk, the Christian straight-edge band Tension from South Florida, active from 1993 to 1998, put out releases like the 1995 EP Suffer on Victory Records, featuring fast-paced mosh anthems about faith and resistance, such as "Untold Stories," which built tension through breakdowns and screamed vocals. Their discography remains a niche staple in straight-edge circles. Other releases include electronic and remix projects, such as the Taiwanese R&B group Tension's 2008 album And This Means... (Rock Records), which mixes pop and hip-hop with tracks exploring romantic strain, achieving regional success in Asia. This diversity—from Minogue's glossy electro-pop to Tension's thrash-infused metal—demonstrates how the title captures buildup and release across styles, often mirroring musical tension in compositional arcs like rising dissonances resolved in choruses.^[70]

Other uses

Knitting and crafts

In knitting and related crafts, tension refers to the tightness or looseness with which a knitter pulls the yarn to form stitches, directly determining the gauge—the number of stitches per inch horizontally and rows per inch vertically in the resulting fabric.^[71]^[72] This evenness of yarn pull is essential for consistent fabric density and drape, and it is influenced by factors such as yarn type, which affects stitch definition and elasticity, and needle size, where larger needles produce looser stitches and fewer per inch while smaller needles yield tighter, denser fabric.^[72]^[71] To measure tension accurately, knitters perform swatch testing by casting on 30–40 stitches using the yarn and needle size specified in a pattern, working in the intended stitch pattern (such as stockinette) for at least 4–6 inches, then binding off loosely.^[73] The swatch is washed and blocked to mimic the finished project's treatment, after which gauge is assessed by laying it flat and measuring a central 4-inch square, counting the stitches and rows within that area while avoiding edge distortions—typically by placing a ruler or pins at the edges of the Vs formed by stitches and rows.^[73]^[72] If the measured gauge differs from the pattern's requirements, adjustments can be made by changing the needle size and re-swatching until the desired gauge is achieved.^[74] Different knitting techniques influence tension consistency, with the Continental method—holding the yarn in the left hand and "picking" it with the right needle—often producing tighter stitches compared to the English method, which tensions the yarn in the right hand and "throws" it around the needle, potentially yielding looser results for some knitters.^[75] Troubleshooting uneven or extreme tension involves relaxing the yarn hold for overly tight work, which can cause stiff fabric and hand strain, or tightening it for loose stitches that result in floppy, oversized pieces; switching styles or needle materials (e.g., from metal to wood) may also help achieve balance.^[71]^[75] Proper tension is critical for garment fit, as mismatches alter dimensions significantly—for instance, in sweater patterns, a gauge that is even one stitch per inch tighter than specified can reduce the bust circumference by several inches, leading to a garment that binds uncomfortably, while looser tension might cause excessive bagginess or poor shape retention after blocking.^[76]^[73] Tension control has been a foundational aspect of traditional crafts like bobbin lace-making since the 16th century, when European artisans used weighted bobbins and pins on a firm pillow to maintain even thread pull during intricate twisting and crossing, ensuring delicate, uniform patterns as depicted in early pattern books such as the 1561 Nûw Modelbuch.^[77]^[78]

Phonetics and linguistics

In phonetics, tenseness refers to the degree of constriction in the vocal tract during vowel production, distinguishing tense vowels, which involve greater articulatory effort and a more advanced tongue root position, from lax vowels, which are produced with less constriction and a retracted tongue root.^[79] Tense vowels, such as the high front /i/ in "see," are articulated with a firmer tongue and higher duration, while lax vowels, like the high front /ɪ/ in "sit," feature a more relaxed configuration and shorter duration.^[80] This distinction contributes to the overall vowel inventory in languages like English, where precise articulatory control in the vocal tract supports the contrasts.^[81] From an articulatory perspective, tenseness involves advancement of the tongue root toward the front of the mouth for tense vowels, coupled with a relatively higher jaw position that maintains greater oral cavity constriction, as opposed to the retracted tongue root and lower jaw opening typical of lax vowels.^[79] In the English vowel quadrilateral—a schematic representation plotting vowels by tongue height and backness—tense vowels occupy peripheral positions (e.g., /i, u, e, o/), reflecting their extreme articulatory targets, whereas lax vowels (/ɪ, ʊ, ɛ, ɔ/) appear more centralized with reduced height and constriction.^[82] These differences not only affect formant frequencies but also syllable structure, as tense vowels can occur in both open and closed syllables, unlike lax vowels, which are typically restricted to closed syllables in English.^[83] Linguistically, tenseness plays a crucial role in meaning differentiation through minimal pairs, such as "beat" (/bit/) with its tense /i/ versus "bit" (/bɪt/) with lax /ɪ/, where the vowel contrast alone signals distinct lexical items.^[84] Allophonic variations of tense and lax vowels arise across English dialects; for instance, in New York City English, the low vowel /æ/ splits into tense [ɛə] before certain nasals and lax [æ] elsewhere, influenced by phonological context rather than phonemic opposition.^[85] Such variations highlight how tenseness can be conditioned by surrounding sounds, affecting perception and production in regional accents.^[86] Historically, tenseness underwent significant shifts during the Great Vowel Shift (approximately 14th to 16th centuries), a chain of changes in Middle English where long (tense) vowels raised or diphthongized, leading to modern alternations like "divine" (tense /aɪ/) versus "divinity" (lax /ɪ/), and distinguishing tense from emerging lax counterparts in the vowel system.^[87] This period marked the phonologization of tenseness as a feature independent of length in English, influencing contemporary phonotactics.^[88] Cross-linguistically, tense-lax distinctions are prominent in Germanic languages like English and German, where they contribute to phonemic contrasts (e.g., English /i/-/ɪ/), but are largely absent in many Romance languages such as Spanish, which rely instead on vowel quality and duration without a dedicated tenseness opposition, leading to perceptual challenges for learners acquiring English contrasts.^[89] In contrast, some non-Indo-European languages like Akan exhibit tense-lax pairs even for low vowels, underscoring the feature's variable role in global vowel systems.^[79]

References

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4.5 Normal, Tension, and Other Examples of Forces – College Physics
A tension is a force along the length of a medium, especially a force carried by a flexible medium, such as a rope or cable. The word “tension” comes from a ...
[2]
Tension – Physics 131: What Is Physics?
A tension is a force along the length of a medium, especially a force carried by a flexible medium, such as a rope or cable.
[3]
Normal, Tension, and Other Examples of Forces
Biological Example: Muscle Tension. When a muscle contracts to lift a limb, it generates tension through tendons connected to bones. Tendons act like ropes, ...
[4]
4.5 Normal, Tension, and Other Examples of Forces – College Physics
A tension is a force along the length of a medium, especially a force carried by a flexible medium, such as a rope or cable. The word “tension” comes from a ...
[5]
[PDF] Lecture 11 (pdf) - Physics 121C Mechanics
A string or rope exerts a contact force on an object when it pulls on it. We call this a tension force, represented by the symbol T. Tension is always directed ...
[6]
[PDF] Experiment 5 - Atwood's Machine
m2a = T − m2g (2) where T is the tension in the string and g is the acceleration due to gravity (g = 9.8 m/s2).
[7]
1. Introductory Statics: the Catenary and the Arch
Obviously, with the string nearly vertical, the tension is balancing the weight of string below it, and must be close to zero at the bottom, increasing ...
[8]
[PDF] Nondestructive Testing of Ropes Using the Transverse Impulse ...
Rope is widely used as a flexible tension member in engineering applications such as cranes, tramways, elevators, mine hoists, suspension bridges, offshore ...
[9]
[PDF] SURFACE TENSION
Page 3. − 3 of 9 − ■ DEFINITION OF SURFACE TENSION. The surface tension γ is the magnitude F of the force exerted parallel to the surface of a. liquid divided ...
[10]
Surface Tension and Capillary Action – College Physics chapters 1-17
Surface tension is defined to be the force F per unit length exerted by a stretched liquid membrane: γ = F L . Table 3 lists values of for some liquids.
[11]
[PDF] Surface tension: History, motivation and physical origins - MIT
The first `Marangoni flow' studied scientifically (Thomson 1855). The tears of wine. Page 7. Surface tension in history. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). Francis ...
[12]
3 ways to measure surface tension - Biolin Scientific
Jan 10, 2023 · Two of the methods are based on force tensiometer; Du Noüy ring and, Wilhelmy plate, while the third is an optical method; pendant drop.
[13]
Surface tension allows a water strider to "walk on water" - USGS.gov
Water striders use the high surface tension of water and long, hydrophobic legs to help them stay above water. Water striders use this surface tension to their ...
[14]
[PDF] Inkjet and inkjet-based 3D printing: connecting fluid properties and ...
Dynamic surface tension and viscosity data may be obtained by directly imaging and recording the oscillations of a free-flight drop.
[15]
Actin, Myosin, and Cell Movement - The Cell - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH
Muscle contraction thus results from an interaction between the actin and myosin filaments that generates their movement relative to one another. The molecular ...
[16]
Muscle Tone Physiology and Abnormalities - PMC - PubMed Central
Apr 16, 2021 · Muscle tone is traditionally defined as 'the tension in the relaxed muscle' or 'the resistance, felt by the examiner during passive stretching ...
[17]
9.3E: Types of Muscle Contractions: Isotonic and Isometric
Oct 14, 2025 · In contrast to isotonic contractions, isometric contractions generate force without changing the length of the muscle, common in the muscles of ...
[18]
The heat of shortening and the dynamic constants of muscle - Journals
Abstract. The hope was recently expressed (Hill 1937, p. 116) that with the development of a more accurate and rapid technique for muscle heat measurement, a ...
[19]
Hill's equation of muscle performance and its hidden insight ... - PMC
3 can be rewritten in the form: V = K(1 − F)/(K + F). The curvature of the force–velocity relation can also be derived from Huxley's two-state model (Huxley, ...
[20]
Electromyography (EMG) - Johns Hopkins Medicine
EMG measures the electrical activity of the muscle during rest, slight contraction and forceful contraction. Muscle tissue does not normally produce electrical ...
[21]
Muscle Spasms (Muscle Cramps): Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Muscle spasms (muscle cramps) are painful contractions and tightening of your muscles. They're common, involuntary and unpredictable.Back Spasms · Neck spasms · Leg cramps · Dystonia
[22]
Chronic Psychosocial Stress and Hypertension - PMC
Exposure to chronic stress has been hypothesized as a risk factor for hypertension, and occupational stress, stressful aspects of the social environment, and ...
[23]
Postmortem Changes - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Rigor mortis is the post mortem stiffening/ rigidity of the body. It results from a decrease in levels of adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) beyond critical levels.
[24]
Muscular and Skeletal Systems - An On-Line Biology Book
The evolution of large and more complex organisms (animals) necessitated the development of support and locomotion systems. Animals use their muscular and ...
[25]
emotional stress - APA Dictionary of Psychology
Apr 19, 2018 · the feeling of psychological strain and uneasiness produced by situations of danger, threat, and loss of personal security or by internal ...
[26]
Stress and your health: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
May 4, 2024 · Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous.
[27]
Stress - American Psychological Association
Stress is a normal reaction to everyday pressures, but can become unhealthy when it upsets your day-to-day functioning. Stress involves changes affecting ...Stress effects on the body · Anxiety disorders · Healthy ways to handle life’s...
[28]
Cognitive Dissonance In Psychology: Definition and Examples
Jun 20, 2025 · Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced when a person holds two conflicting beliefs or when their actions don't align with their beliefs.Theory · Examples · Causes
[29]
The Dynamic Nature of Interpersonal Conflict and Psychological ...
For instance, interpersonal (i.e., relationship) conflict has been noted as one of the most important workplace stressors (Keenan & Newton, 1985), and has been ...
[30]
How Your Environment Affects Your Mental Health - Verywell Mind
Feb 7, 2025 · Factors such as crime, racism, and pollution can influence your health and safety, which can have a profound impact on your mental well-being. ...
[31]
Drive-Reduction Theory of Motivation In Psychology
Feb 1, 2024 · Drive reduction theory proposes that the goal of motivated behavior is to reduce physiological arousal and return to homeostasis. A drive is any ...Development · Explaining Human Behavior · Behaviorism
[32]
Understanding the stress response - Harvard Health
Apr 3, 2024 · Elevated cortisol levels create physiological changes that help to replenish the body's energy stores that are depleted during the stress ...
[33]
Stress effects on the body - American Psychological Association
Nov 1, 2018 · Stress causes the body to release the hormone cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands.
[34]
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Reacting to Stress
Prolonged or chronic stress leads to the last stage of general adaptation syndrome—exhaustion. Enduring stressors without relief drains your physical, emotional ...
[35]
Stress: Eight Decades after Its Definition by Hans Selye - NIH
Feb 12, 2023 · Selye was very clear about the stages that characterize the stress syndrome or general adaptation syndrome. It evolves in three successive ...
[36]
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems.
[37]
Mindfulness for Your Health | NIH News in Health
Mindfulness-based treatments have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. There's also evidence that mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve sleep ...Missing: tension | Show results with:tension
[38]
Relaxation Techniques for Mental Wellness - Psychiatry.org
Mar 14, 2024 · Progressive relaxation (or progressive muscle relaxation). This involves tensing different muscles in your body and then releasing the tension.
[39]
Ataraxia - (Ancient Mediterranean) - Vocab, Definition, Explanations
Ataraxia refers to a state of serene calmness and emotional stability, free from anxiety and distress. This concept was central to Hellenistic philosophy, ...
[40]
History of PTSD in Veterans: Civil War to DSM-5
Learn about the history of the diagnosis of PTSD in a timeline that reflects military events and the importance of Veterans.
[41]
[PDF] A Quantitative, Parametric Model of Musical Tension - DSpace@MIT
The study of tension and resolution is central to Western music theory and has been a matter of ongoing debate for both music theorists and cognitive.
[42]
[PDF] A PARAMETRIC, TEMPORAL MODEL OF MUSICAL TENSION
It is also a key element in the perception of musical tension, a sensation that arises from the combined interac- tion of various musical parameters.
[43]
Dominant Chord Resolution: The Tension and Release Effect
Nov 12, 2024 · Dominant chords build tension because of their dissonant tritone, and that tension is resolved when the chord moves to a tonic chord.
[44]
Suspensions - definition, explanation, examples
What is a Suspension in Music? A suspension in music is where a note from a chord is held whilst the other notes of the chord change to a new harmony.<|separator|>
[45]
[PDF] A Brief Handbook and Website for Schenkerian Analysis - DocDrop
If, as Schenker suggests, arrival on 1 resolves the tension introduced by ... Schenkerian analysis will identify in between the foreground and background.
[46]
How to Use Dominant Chords in Music - 2025 - MasterClass
Jun 7, 2021 · A dominant chord is a major triad on the fifth scale degree, creating tension. It resolves to a major triad, and is common in all tonal music.
[47]
'S' Sounds | Sonic Dictionary - Duke University
Syncopation. Rhythmic tension created by the stressing of weak beats and the de-emphasizing of strong beats. This phenomenon is first heard in the violins ...<|separator|>
[48]
Crescendo - Music Pandit Online Music School
Jan 6, 2025 · Crescendos are essential for adding emotional depth and dynamic contrast to music. They help in building tension, leading to a climax, ...
[49]
Understanding Cadence in Music: Types, Importance & Benefits
Nov 14, 2024 · Perfect cadences give a sense of closure and satisfaction, making them ideal for the ends of pieces or major sections. Plagal cadences offer a ...
[50]
[PDF] Beethoven Symphony No. 5, 1st mvt - David Schwarz
Beethoven uses half-cadence on closing of 1st theme in both of exposition and recapitulation. However, the two half-cadences create different expectation which ...
[51]
[DOC] HINDUSTANI VOCAL PERFORMANCE; AN INTRODUCTION.
Hindustani musical technique lays great stress on different ways of ornamenting musical notes in a performance. A particular note is not always sung purely ...
[52]
Chapter 3: The Music of India – Listening to The World
Some of the most popular ragas used in Indian music include Bhairav, Yaman, Malkauns, Todi, Bhupali, Marwa, and Darbari. Each raga has a distinct melodic ...Missing: meends | Show results with:meends
[53]
Futurhythmachines: Infopoiēsis - solutionsforpostmodernliving
African music depends on the resistance of the parts to fuse. The music is engaging because the tension must be comprehended without undermining the power and ...
[54]
Chapter 10 Consonance | Music and Science - GitHub Pages
Major second, 9:8, Dissonant. Major third, 5:4, Consonant. Perfect fourth ... ratios, and hence to perceive these frequency ratios as more pleasant than before.10 Consonance · 10.1. 2 Interference Between... · 10.2 Disentangling...
[55]
Perception of musical consonance and dissonance - PubMed Central
Thus, the consonant octave is characterized by a 1 : 2 frequency ratio between two tones, while the dissonant semitone is characterized by a 15 : 16 ratio. In ...
[56]
Tension (1949) - IMDb
Rating 7.3/10 (3,877) Tension: Directed by John Berry. With Richard Basehart, Audrey Totter, Cyd Charisse, Barry Sullivan. A meek pharmacist creates an alternate identity under ...Plot · Full cast & crew · Trivia · Filming & production
[57]
Tension (1949) - Turner Classic Movies - TCM
Tension (1949) is a tautly directed B-movie gem that features one of the screen's most calculating and self-serving femme fatales, a role that was tailor-made ...Missing: box office
[58]
Tension - Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 65% (32) Synopsis Warren Quimby (Richard Basehart) manages a drugstore while trying to keep his volatile wife, Claire (Audrey Totter), happy.
[59]
1949 Top Grossing Movies | Ultimate Movie Rankings
Sort 1949 Top Box Office Movies by domestic actual box office grosses; Sort ... Tension (1949), Cyd Charisse, 1.4, 38.4, 58.90, 168, 69, 00 / 00, 67.6. 136 ...
[60]
"The Rifleman" Tension (TV Episode 1959) - IMDb
Rating 7.9/10 (174) Tension ... A recently widowed woman in North Fork doesn't know about her deceased husband's criminal past, and Lucas is determined to see that she doesn't find ...Missing: titled | Show results with:titled
[61]
"The Loretta Young Show" Tension (TV Episode 1957) - IMDb
Rating 7.7/10 (10) Tension: Directed by John Newland. With Loretta Young, John Newland, Vaughn Taylor, Jack Diamond. A best selling author, who has taken to callous treatment ...Missing: titled | Show results with:titled
[62]
https://www.editmentor.com/blog/the-evolution-of-sound-in-film-from-silent-movies-to-dolby-surround/
[63]
From Silent Films to CGI: How Early Cinema Shapes Modern ...
Mar 8, 2023 · Explore the fascinating evolution of filmmaking from the silent era to modern CGI. Discover how early cinematic techniques and innovations ...
[64]
Kylie Minogue celebrates 10th Official Number 1 album with Tension II
Oct 25, 2024 · Kylie Minogue nets a landmark 10th Official Number 1 album in the UK today with Tension II. The sequel to her chart-topping 2023 record Tension.
[65]
Kylie Minogue: Tension Album Review - Pitchfork
Sep 21, 2023 · “Padam Padam” embodies a looseness of concept that slightly conflicts with the title of Minogue's 16th album, Tension. It is the most ...
[66]
https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kylie-minogue-tension-ii-poised-10th-uk-no-1-1235807541/
[67]
Tension - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives
Jul 21, 2002 · Tension ; Status: On hold ; Formed in: 1985 ; Genre: Power/Speed/Thrash Metal ; Themes: N/A ; Last label: Metalgrind Productions.
[68]
TENSION discography (top albums) and reviews
Tension, originally known as Deuce, is a US speed/power/heavy metal act who released the album Breaking Point in 1986. They broke up in 1988, but reformed ...
[69]
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/artist/tension
[70]
Knitting tension for beginners | LoveCrafts
### Summary of Knitting Tension for Beginners
[71]
How to Measure Your Gauge in Knitting - Craftsy
May 29, 2013 · It is the number of stitches per inch you create on the horizontal, and number of rows per inch on the vertical. Most patterns will tell you ...
[72]
[PDF] 40 Favorite Tips & Techniques for Knitters of All Levels KDTV
Gauge is simply the number of stitches and rows in a given number of inches of knitting. If your gauge is fewer stitches per inch than the pattern calls for, ...
[73]
https://www.interweave.com/wp-content/uploads/0711_KDTV-40Tips-700_7.11.pdf
[74]
Find Your Style: Battle of English vs. Continental Knitting | Craftsy
Feb 12, 2014 · In English-style knitting the action is throwing the yarn, while in Continental-style knitting the action is picking the yarn.
[75]
The Significance of Gauging and Tension in Knitting
Fit and Sizing: Tension impacts the overall fit and sizing of your projects. For garments, maintaining the specified tension ensures that the item matches ...
[76]
Lace and Lacemaking in the Time of Vermeer
Tension control is crucial in lace making, and lace makers adjust the tension by winding or unwinding threads from the bobbins. Proper tension ensures that ...
[77]
Textile Production in Europe: Lace, 1600–1800
Oct 1, 2003 · During the sixteenth century, the technique of lacemaking was freed from a woven foundation, and became a fabric in its own right.
[78]
3.5 Describing vowels – ENG 200: Introduction to Linguistics
The different positions of the tongue root for tense and lax vowels are shown in Figure 3.17. Two midsagittal diagrams, the left with an advanced tongue root ...
[79]
Vowel Sounds – A Short Introduction to English Pronunciation
Vowels can be tense or lax. Tense vowels are pronounced with more tension in the vocal tract and lax vowels are pronounced with less tension. This video from ...
[80]
[PDF] Articulatory Phonetics and the International Phonetic Alphabet
These differences between “heat/hit” and “sale/sell” illustrate tenseness. In describing tenseness, two values are used: ▷ Tense Vowels (“heat”, “sale”).
[81]
2.7 Classifying Vowels – Essential of Linguistics
Linguists classify vowels according to four pieces of information: tongue height, tongue backness, lip rounding, and tenseness.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
[82]
[PDF] Vowels of American English - UCI Open
Tense vowels can occur both in closed syllables (those that end in a consonant sound, like meet or goal) and open syllables (those that do not have a consonant ...
[83]
Describing Vowels – ENGL6360 Descriptive Linguistics for Teachers
Vowels that are called tense are said to have more extreme positions of the tongue and/or the lips than vowels that are lax. The production of tense vowels ...Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
[84]
[PDF] The Short-a System of New York City English: An Update
Mar 21, 2010 · It should follow from this phonological conditioning that NYCE short-a is an allophonic split into tense and lax sets; however, many scholars ...
[85]
[PDF] Chapter 4: Vowels
This sound is produced when the body of the tongue is in the high-middle portion of the oral cavity and lips are rounded. The vowel is considered to be tense.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition<|control11|><|separator|>
[86]
[PDF] Tenseness, Vowel Shift, and the Phonology of the Back ... - MIT
The feature of tenseness has had a long and complicated career in phonetics. Tenseness was first recognized as a distinct phonetic feature by A. M. Bell, ...
[87]
chapter 11.9: vowel sound changes
The features of vowels that can change are frontness, height, roundedness, and tenseness. The causes of these changes can be neighboring consonants, although ...
[88]
[PDF] The role of selective attention in the acquisition of English tense and ...
For the natural tense/lax words, eight monosyllabic minimal pairs were recorded produced in citation form where each pair consisted of one word with a tense ...