What is the term for the amount that a rope stretches at a specified load?

The term that refers to the amount that a rope stretches at a specified load is known as elongation. This concept is crucial in understanding how different materials behave under tension. When a rope is subjected to a load, it will naturally stretch to accommodate that force, and this stretching is quantified as elongation.

Elongation is particularly important in rescue scenarios, where an exact understanding of how much a rope will extend under load ensures safety and effectiveness in rescue operations.

In contrast, the other terms listed refer to different physical principles. Compression refers to the reduction of volume or length when a force is applied, typically in materials that can compress like springs or foam. Deflection describes the displacement of a structural element under load, usually applied to beams or supports rather than ropes. Extension could be seen as a synonym for elongation in some contexts but is not the specific term used to refer to the stretch in ropes under load.