The effect of a tensile stress or an electric field on the conformation of a flexible polymer chain has been studied by combining theory with numerical simulation. In the presence of such external agents, the macromolecule experiences the action of two opposite forces at the chain ends. Two models are considered : the Gaussian bead-and-spring chain, and the freely jointed chain with segments of fixed length. From simulated Brownian trajectories we calculate steady-state properties of the polymer under the continuing action of the external forces. Thus, we compute the chain deformation and expansion, measured by the square radius of gyration, and analyze the influence of the external force on low-angle scattering of radiation. The effect of the link orientation in the optical anisotropy or birefringence is also analyzed. From existing theories, we predict very simple relationships between expansion, low-angle scattering, and birefringence, valid for Gaussian chains of any length, and for long freely jointed chains. The simulation results confirm those relationships.