Final answer:
Strain can occur in a material even without a directly applied force, due to factors like thermal expansion or residual stresses. The statement that strain only occurs with an applied force is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question Will strain only occur in a member that has a force applied to it? is looking to confirm if strain in materials is a result exclusively of an applied force. This is False. Strain refers to the deformation of a material due to stress which is force per unit area. Even in the absence of an external force, materials can experience strain due to other types of stresses such as thermal expansion or contraction, or due to residual stresses which may be present within the material from previous loading conditions.
When considering the subject of forces and their effects, it's important to remember that various factors influence how a material deforms. For instance, a stationary object in outer space will require an external force to be set into motion, but once in motion, no additional force is necessary for it to remain in motion if all gravitational influences and atmospheric friction are absent. Similarly, tension is the result of opposite forces in a connector, acting parallel to its length and pulling each point toward the center of the connector. And in the case of a tug-of-war, if the rope snaps, the forces that were in balance become unbalanced instantly, illustrating Newton's third law where each team was applying an equal and opposite force on the rope before it broke.