What is the term for a rope that is suddenly put under unusual tension?

The term describing a rope that is suddenly placed under unusual tension is shock loading. This phenomenon occurs when a sudden force is applied to the rope, causing it to experience a quick increase in tension that exceeds its normal operating load. Shock loading can result from abrupt stops, falling weights, or sharp pulls, which create a significant force that impacts the rope's integrity and can lead to potential failure if the load exceeds the rope's strength.

In contrast, dynamic loading refers to loads that change over time and may involve movement or various forces acting on the load, while static loading involves a constant load that does not change over time. Impact loading, while similar in some aspects, specifically refers to loads that arise from a collision or impact event, leading to a transient force. Thus, shock loading is the most accurate term for the sudden imposition of unusual tension on a rope.