What is the formula for stress?

The formula for stress is defined as the amount of force applied to an area over which that force acts. Stress quantifies how much internal force is being exerted by a material when subjected to external loads. The correct formulation states that stress is equal to the load (or force) divided by the area through which the force is distributed.

By using this definition, stress can be understood as a measure of how concentrated the force is on a given area of material. It's expressed in units of pressure, commonly Pascals (Pa) in the International System of Units (SI), where 1 Pascal equals 1 Newton per square meter.

This understanding allows engineers to evaluate materials under various loading conditions, ensuring that structures can withstand the forces they will encounter in real-world applications.