Final answer:
The force stretching a string when a mass is moving in a circular path on a frictionless table is the centripetal force. Without additional data on masses, radii, and speeds, tensions from TA to TE can't be ranked.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a mass is spinning in a circular path on a frictionless table, the force that stretches the string is known as the centripetal force. This force acts towards the center of the circle and keeps the mass moving in its circular path. According to Newton's third law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Thus, while the centripetal force acts towards the center, the tension in the string provides the necessary reaction force. As for ranking the tensions TA to TE, this cannot be done without additional information about each block's mass, radius of the circular path, and speed. All of these factors would impact the centripetal force and thus the tension in the string for each block. Generally, as the required centripetal force increases, so does the tension in the string. This increase can be due to a larger mass, a tighter radius, or a faster speed in the circular motion.