Which type of stress occurs when an object is compressed?

The type of stress that occurs when an object is compressed is known as compression. Compression stress refers to the forces that push or pull materials together, causing them to shorten or crumble under pressure. This can lead to changes in the shape and structure of the material affected.

In geological terms, compression is often associated with convergent tectonic plate boundaries, where two tectonic plates move toward each other. As a result, materials at these boundaries experience compressive stress, which can lead to the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and folding of rock layers.

In contrast, the other types of stress mentioned — tension, shearing, and extension — involve different forces and movements. Tension refers to forces that pull materials apart, shearing occurs when forces slide past each other, and extension relates to forces that stretch an object. Understanding these distinctions is essential for interpreting geological processes and the behavior of materials under various stress conditions.