Direction of tension

[jgalt42]

Hey guys,

I seem to be having trouble understanding the direction of tension. When you have a string dangling a mass, I know that tension goes up. But if there is a tank of water with an object submerged in it that can float but is attached to a string to the bottom, why is tension going up? Is there an universal way to figure out where tension is pointing in all scenarios?

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[jgalt42]

I always thought tension was the direction opposite of where the gravitational force is pointing.

 

[G1SG2]

I always thought tension was the direction opposite of where the gravitational force is pointing.

Tension always points away from the object.