How do compression and tension differ in materials?

Compression and tension are two fundamental forces that influence the behavior of materials. Compression refers to the action of pressing or squeezing a material, leading to a decrease in its length and volume. This force tends to push the molecules of the material closer together, resulting in a shortening effect.

On the other hand, tension involves pulling or stretching a material, which causes it to elongate or increase in length. When a tensile force is applied, it draws the molecules apart, allowing the material to stretch and become longer.

Thus, the correct understanding of the effects of these forces is that compression shortens materials, while tension elongates them. This distinction is crucial in fields such as engineering and materials science, where the strength and behavior of materials under different forces are analyzed for various applications.