Shear

Shear refers to a force that causes parts of a material to slide past each other in opposite directions. Imagine tearing a sheet of paper by pushing one side to the left and the other to the right; the paper experiences shear stress. This force can distort the shape of objects, especially if they are not strong enough to resist it. Shear stress is common in various materials and structures, and understanding it helps engineers design things like beams, bridges, or even clothing to withstand such forces without failing.