Certified Fiber Optics Practice Exam

What term describes the ability of a fiber to be stretched or pulled without breaking?

1. Durability

2. Tensile strength

3. Flexibility

4. Ruggedness

The correct answer is: Tensile strength

The term that describes the ability of a fiber to be stretched or pulled without breaking is tensile strength. This property essentially quantifies how much pulling or stretching stress a material can withstand before failing or breaking. In the context of fiber optics, having a high tensile strength is crucial because it indicates that the fiber can endure tension during installation and in service without compromising its structural integrity or optical performance. Durability refers to the ability of a fiber to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over time, which is related but not specifically focused on the stretching aspect. Flexibility describes how easily a fiber can bend without breaking or kinking but does not necessarily indicate how much tensile stress it can handle. Ruggedness implies a toughness or resilience against harsh conditions, which again differs from the specific concept of stretching or tensile limits. Thus, tensile strength is the most accurate term for this characteristic.