What does "Active Stress" mean?
Table of Contents
Active stress refers to the forces that arise from the movement and activity of particles in materials. Unlike regular stress that comes from outside forces, active stress comes from the actions of the particles themselves. This is often seen in living systems where cells or bacteria are actively moving and changing shape.
How It Works
In materials with active stress, particles can push and pull on each other as they move. This movement creates unique patterns and behaviors that are not seen in non-living materials. For example, when enough particles move together, they can form structures like columns or rings.
Effects of Active Stress
Active stress can cause interesting changes in how materials behave. In some cases, like in chiral materials, this stress can lead to oscillating movements. These movements can change even when there is no external force acting on them. Sometimes, active stress can also make materials buckle or twist in unexpected ways.
Importance
Understanding active stress helps scientists learn more about how living systems function at a microscopic level. It gives insight into processes like cell division and how materials behave when they are alive and moving.