Question

when the arrowhead of the force vector in a separated joint diagram points: a) towards the joint, the member is in compression b) away from the joint, the member is in

Explanation:

In the context of force vectors in separated joint diagrams (a concept in Engineering, a subfield of Natural Science), when the arrowhead of a force vector points away from the joint, the member is in tension. This is because a tensile force pulls the joint, so the vector points outward from the joint (indicating the member is being stretched, hence tension).

Answer:

tension