In cold weather, what happens to the tension of a cable-operated control system that was initially tensioned in a heated hangar?

When a cable-operated control system that was initially tensioned in a heated environment is exposed to cold weather, the tension in the cables tends to decrease. This phenomenon occurs because most materials, including metals and synthetic cables, contract when temperatures drop. As the temperature decreases, the cable shrinks slightly in length, which can reduce the tension that was set while the system was warm.

The specific physical properties of the cable material result in a loss of tension when it cools down, impacting the effectiveness of the control system. If proper adjustments aren't made to account for this loss of tension, it may lead to diminished control response or even malfunction of the system.

Other options suggest that the tension either increases, remains constant, or fluctuates. However, given the fundamental property of thermal contraction in materials, it is clear that the tension decreases as the cable cools in cold weather.