Chapter

9
Mechanical Properties of Solids

1 Marks Questions

1.The stretching of a coil spring is determined by its shear modulus. Why?

Ans . When a coil spring is stretched, neither its length nor its volume changes, there is only
the change in its shape. Therefore, stretching of coil spring is determined by shear modulus.

2.The spherical ball contracts in volume by 0.1% when subjected to a uniform normal
pressure of 100 atmosphere calculate the bulk modulus of material of ball?

Ans .Volumetric strain =

Normal Stress = 100 atmosphere = 100 X 105 = 107 N|m2

∴ Bulk Modulus of the material of the ball is :→

3.State Hooke’s law?

Ans. Hooke’s law states that the extension produced in the wire is directly proportional to
the load applied within the elastic limit i.e. Acc to Hooke’s low,

Stress Strain

Stress = E x Strain

E = Modulus of elasticity
4.What are ductile and brittle materials?

Ans.Ductile materials are those materials which show large plastic range beyond elastic
limit. eg:- copper, Iron

Brittle materials are those materials which show very small plastic range beyond elastic
limit. eg:- Cast Iron, Glass.

5. A steel cable with a radius of 1.5 cm supports a chairlift at a ski area. If the maximum
stress is not to exceed N , what is the maximum load the cable can support?

Ans. Radius of the steel cable, r = 1.5 cm = 0.015 m

Maximum allowable stress = N

Maximum stress =

∴Maximum force = Maximum stress Area of cross-section

Hence, the cable can support the maximum load of 7 .

6. Compute the fractional change in volume of a glass slab, when subjected to a

hydraulic pressure of 10 atm.

Ans. Hydraulic pressure exerted on the glass slab, p = 10 atm =

Bulk modulus of glass, B =

Bulk modulus,
Where, = Fractional change in volume

Hence, the fractional change in the volume of the glass slab is .

2 Marks Questions

1.Write the characteristics of displacement?

Ans: (1) It is a vector quantity having both magnitude and direction.

(2) Displacement of a given body can be positive, negative or zero.

2.Draw displacement time graph for uniformly accelerated motion. What is its shape?

Ans: The graph is parabolic in shape

3.Sameer went on his bike from Delhi to Gurgaon at a speed of 60km/hr and came back
at a speed of 40km/hr. what is his average speed for entire journey.

Ans:

4.What causes variation in velocity of a particle?

Ans: Velocity of a particle changes

(1) If magnitude of velocity changes

(2) If direction of motion changes.

5.Figure. Shows displacement – time curves I and II. What conclusions do you draw
from these graphs?

Ans: (1) Both the curves are representing uniform linear motion.

(2) Uniform velocity of II is more than the velocity of I because slope of curve (II) is greater.

6.Displacement of a particle is given by the expression x = 3t2 + 7t – 9, where x is in

meter and t is in seconds. What is acceleration?

Ans:

7.A particle is thrown upwards. It attains a height (h) after 5 seconds and again after 9s
comes back. What is the speed of the particle at a height h?

Ans:

As the particle comes to the same point as 9s where it was at 5s. The net displacement at 4s is
zero.
8.Draw displacement time graph for a uniformly accelerated motion? What is its
shape?

Ans: Graph is parabolic in shape

9.The displacement x of a particle moving in one dimension under the action of

constant force is related to the time by the equation where x is in meters and t is in
seconds. Find the velocity of the particle at (1) t = 3s (2) t = 6s.

Ans:

(i)

For
(ii) For

10.A balloon is ascending at the rate of 4.9m/s. A pocket is dropped from the balloon
when situated at a height of 245m. How long does it take the packet to reach the
ground? What is its final velocity?

Ans:

For packet (care of free fall) a = g = 9.8m/s2 (downwards)

Since time cannot be negative

t = 7.6s

Now

11.A car moving on a straight highway with speed of 126km/hr. is brought to stop within
a distance of 200m. What is the retardation of the car (assumed uniform) and how long
does it take for the car to stop?

Ans:
a = -3.06m/s2 (Retardation)

Now V = u + at

t = 11.4s

12.In the following stress – strain curve, which has:-

1) Greater young’s Modulus 2) More Ductility 3) More Tensile strength.

Ans .

1) Since young’s Modulus is given by the slope of stress – strain graph, Since slop of A is more
than that of B, hence it has greater young’s Modulus.

2) Ductility is the extent of plastic deformation and it is greater for A.

3) Tensile strength is the direct measure of stress required, from by graph, it is greater for A.
13.A cube is subject to a pressure of 5X105 N|m2. Each side of cube is shortened by 1%
find: - 1) the volumetric strain 2) the bulk modulus of elasticity of cube.

Ans .Let l = Initial length of cube.

Initial volume, V = l3.

Change in length = 0.01% of l =

Final length of each side of cube =

Final volume =

Change in Volume,

1) Volumetric Strain;

2) Bulk Modulus, K =

14.If the potential energy is minimum at r = ro = 0.74AO, is the force attractive or

repulsive at r = 0.5AO; 1.9AO and α?

Ans .Since, potential energy is minimum at rO = 0.74AO. therefore interatomic force between

two atoms is zero for rO = 0.74AO

1) At r = 0.5 AO (Which is less than ro), the force is repulsive.

2) At r = 1.9AO (Which is greater than ro), the force is attractive.

3) At r = α, the force is zero.

15.A hollow shaft is found to be stronger than a solid shaft made of same equal
material? Why?

Ans.A hollow shaft is found to be stronger than a solid shaft made of equal material because
the torque required to produce a given twist in hollow cylinder is greater than that required
to produce in solid cylinder of same length and material through same angle.

16.Calculate the work done when a wire of length l and area of cross – section A is made
of material of young’s Modulus Y is stretched by an amount x?

Ans.Young’s Modulus =

Y =

F = Force

A = Area

l= change in length

L = original Length

x = change in Length (Given)

Average extension =

Now, Work Done = Force. Average extension

Work Done =

17.Water is more elastic than air. Why?

Ans .Since volume elasticity is the reciprocal of compressibility and since air is more
compressible than water hence water in more elastic than air.

18.The length of a metal is l1, when the tension in it is T1 and is l2 when tension is l2.

Find the original length of wire?

Ans .Let l = original length of material – wire.

A = original length of metal – wire.

Change in length in the first case = (l1-l)

Change in length is second case = (l2-l)

Now, Young Modulus

=
Y = Young’s Modulus

T = Tension

A = Area

∆l = Change in length

l = Original Length

Since Young’s Modulus remains the same,

So,

l =

19.An elastic wire is cut to half its original length. How would it affect the maximum
load that the wire can support?

Ans.Since Breaking load = Breaking Stress x Area; so if cable is cut to half of its original
length, there is no change in its area hence there is no effect on the maximum load that the
wire can support.

20.Define modulus of elasticity and write its various types

Ans.Modulus of elasticity is defined as ratio of the stress to the corresponding strain

produced, within the elastic limit.

E (Modulus of elasticity) =

Types of Modulus of elasticity:-

1) Young’s Modulus =

2) Bulk Modulus =

3) Modulus of Rigidity =

21.Two different types of rubber are found to have the stress – strain curves as shown
in the figure stress

i) In what ways do these curves suffer from the stress- strain curve of a metal wire?

2) Which of the two rubbers A and B would you prefer to be installed in the working of
a heavy machinery

3) Which of these two rubbers would you choose for a car tyre?
Ans.1) Since for the above curves, Hooke’s law is not obeyed as the curve is not a straight
line Hence such type of curve are called as elastic hysteresis as the materials do not retrace
curve during unloading.

2) Rubber B is preferred because area of loop B is more than that of A which shows more
absorption power for vibrations which is useful in machinery.

3) Since hysteresis loop is a direct measure of heat dissipation, hence rubber A is preferred
over B so to minimize the heating in the car tyres.

22.Which is more elastic rubber or steel? Explain.

Ans.Let length and area of rubber and stead rod = l and a respectively

Let Yr = Young’s modulus of elasticity for rubber

Ys = Young’s modulus of elasticity for steel when Stretching force F is applied, Let

Extension in rubber

∆ ls = Extension in steel

Now, ∆lr will be greater that ∆ls.

Now Y =

So, Yr =

Since ∆lr >∆ls

So, Y r < Ys

Hence more the modulus of elasticity more elastic is the material, so, steel is more elastic
than rubber.

23. Figure 9.11 shows the strain-stress curve for a given material. What are (a) Young's
modulus and (b) approximate yield strength for this material?

Ans. (a) It is clear from the given graph that for stress 150 × 106 N/m2, strain is 0.002.

∴Young's modulus, Y

Hence, Young's modulus for the given material is .

(b) The yield strength of a material is the maximum stress that the material can sustain
without crossing the elastic limit.

It is clear from the given graph that the approximate yield strength of this material is
.

24. The stress-strain graphs for materials A and B are shown in Fig. 9.12.

The graphs are drawn to the same scale.

(a) Which of the materials has the greater Young's modulus?

(b) Which of the two is the stronger material?

Ans. (a) A (b) A

(a) For a given strain, the stress for material A is more than it is for material B, as shown in
the two graphs.

Young's modulus

For a given strain, if the stress for a material is more, then Young's modulus is also greater
for that material. Therefore, Young's modulus for material A is greater than it is for material
B.

(b) The amount of stress required for fracturing a material, corresponding to its fracture
point, gives the strength of that material. Fracture point is the extreme point in a stress-
strain curve. It can be observed that material A can withstand more strain than material B.
Hence, material A is stronger than material B.

25. Read the following two statements below carefully and state, with reasons, if it is
true or false.

(a) The Young's modulus of rubber is greater than that of steel;

(b) The stretching of a coil is determined by its shear modulus.

Ans. (a) False (b) True

(a) For a given stress, the strain in rubber is more than it is in steel.

Young's modulus, Y

For a constant stress:

Hence, Young's modulus for rubber is less than it is for steel.

(b)Shear modulus is the ratio of the applied stress to the change in the shape of a body. The
stretching of a coil changes its shape. Hence, shear modulus of elasticity is involved in this
process.

26. How much should the pressure on a litre of water be changed to compress it by
0.10%?

Ans. Volume of water, V = 1 L

It is given that water is to be compressed by 0.10%.

Fractional change,

Bulk modulus,

Bulk modulus of water, B=

Therefore, the pressure on water should be

27. Anvils made of single crystals of diamond, with the shape as shown in Fig. 9.14, are
used to investigate behaviour of materials under very high pressures. Flat faces at the
narrow end of the anvil have a diameter of 0.50 mm, and the wide ends are subjected to
a compressional force of 50,000 N. What is the pressure at the tip of the anvil?
Ans.Diameter of the cones at the narrow ends, d = 0.50 mm = m

Radius, r =

Compression force, F = 50000 N

Pressure at the tip of the anvil:

Therefore, the pressure at the tip of the anvil is 2.55 Pa.

28. Two strips of metal are riveted together at their ends by four rivets, each of
diameter 6.0 mm. What is the maximum tension that can be exerted by the riveted strip
if the shearing stress on the rivet is not to exceed Pa? Assume that each rivet
is to carry one quarter of the load.

Ans. Diameter of the metal strip, d = 6.0 mm = m

Radius, r =

Maximum shearing stress

Maximum stress =

Maximum force = Maximum stress Area

=

= 1949.94 N
Each rivet carries one quarter of the load.
∴ Maximum tension on each rivet = 4 1949.94 = 7799.76 N
3 Marks Questions

1.Define from velocity time graph.

Ans: Slope of graph

2.A particle is moving along a straight line and its position is given by the relation

Find (a) The time at which velocity is zero.

(b) Position and displacement of the particle at that point.

 (c) Acceleration

Ans:

(a)

Time cannot be negative

t = 5 seconds.

(b) Position at t = 5 s At t = 0 s

Displacement at t = 5 s and t = 0s
c) Acceleration at t = 5s

leration for the particle at that line.

3.A police jeep on a petrol duty on national highway was moving with a speed of
54km/hr. in the same direction. It finds a thief rushing up in a car at a rate of 126km/hr
in the same direction. Police sub – inspector fired at the car of the thief with his service
revolver with a muzzle speed of 100m/s. with what speed will the bullet hit the car of
thief?

Ans: VPJ = 54km/hr = 15m/s VTC = 126km/hr = 35m/s

Muzzle speed of the bullet

VCP = 35 – 15 = 20m/s. VCP = Velocity of car w.r.t. police

VBC= 100 – 20 = 80 m/s VBC = Velocity of bullet w.r.t car

Thus bullet will hit the car with a velocity 80m/s.

4.Establish the relation where the letters have their usual

meanings.
Ans:

Hence proved.

5.A stone is dropped from the top of a cliff and is found to ravel 44.1m diving the last

second before it reaches the ground. What is the height of the cliff? g = 9.8m/s2

Ans:Let h be the height of the cliff

n be the total time taken by the stone while falling

u = 0

A = g = 9.8m/s2
Height of the cliff

h = 122.5m

6.Establish from velocity time graph for a uniform accelerated motion?

Ans:Displacement of the particle in time (t)

S = area under graph

S = area OABC

S = area of rectangle AODC + area of ADB

7.(a) Define the term relative velocity?

(b) Write the expression for relative velocity of one moving with respect to another
body when objects are moving in same direction and are moving in opposite directions?

(c) A Jet airplane traveling at the speed of 500km/hr ejects its products of combustion
at the speed of 1500km/h relative to the Jet plane. What is the speed of the latter with
respect to an observer on the ground?

Ans: (a) Relative velocity of body A with respect to body B is defined as the time rate
of change of position of A wrt. B.

(b) (i) When two objects move in the same direction

(ii) When two objects move in the opposite direction

(c) Velocity of the Jet plane VJ = 500km/hr velocity of gases wrt. Jet plane VgJ = -1500km/hr

(direction is opposite)

Velocity of the Vg = -1500 + 500 = -1000km/hr

(As hot gases also comes out in opposite direction of the Jet plane)

8.Define (i) v = u + at (ii) V2 – u2 = 2as by calculus method

Ans:We know

(i)

Integrating

Where K is constant of integration

(ii)

We know

Multiply and Divide by dx

Integrating within the limits

9.Explain :-

1) Elastic Body 2) Plastic Body 3) Elasticity.

Ans.1) Elastic Body → A body which completely regains its original configuration
immediately after the removal of deforming force on it is called elastic body. eg. Quartz and
phosphor Bronze.

2) Plastic Body → A body which does not regain its original configuration at all on the
removal of deforming force, howsoever the deforming force may be is called plastic body eg:-
Paraffin wax.

3) Elasticity → The property of the body to regain its original configuration, when the
deforming forces are removed is called plasticity.

l= Original Length of wire.

10.Why is the force of repulsion responsible for the formation of a solid and not the
forces of attraction?

Ans.If we study the motion of large number of spheres, it will be observed that two hard
spheres do not attract each other, but rebound immediately on collision. That is they, do not
come closer than their diameter ‘d’. The interaction potential ‘V’ for a pair of hard sphere is

d = diameter

r = distance of interaction of 2 spheres

It shows that there is infinite repulsion for r = d and no potential for r>d and hence repulsive
forces binds them together.
11.A bar of cross section A is subjected to equal and opposite tensile force F at its ends.
If there is a plane through the bar making an angle Q, with the plane at right angles to
the bar in the figure

a) Find the tensile stress at this plane in terms of F, A and Q

b) What is the shearing stress at the plane in terms of F, and Q.

c) For what value of Q is tensile stress a maximum.

Ans. 1) Tensile stress =

Normal force = F cos

Tensile Stress =

2) Shearing Stress =

Tangential = F Sin

force

Area = A/cos

Shearing Stress =
=

= (Divide & Multiply by 2)

3) Tensile Stress =

Tensile stress cos2

cos 2 = Maximum = 1

cos = 1

= cos-1(1)

i.e. when the plane is parallel to the bar.

c) For what value of Q is tensile stress a maximum.

12.The Young’s modulus of steel is 2.0x10+11 w/m2. If the interatomic spacing for the

metal is 2.8x10-10m, find the increase in the interatomic spacing for a force of 109 N|m2
and the force constant?

Ans.Y = 2.0x1011N|m2

L = 2.8x10-10m

F = force

A = Area
∆l = charge in length

∆l = ? ;

So, Y = Modulus of elasticity =

Or ∆l =

∆l =

(lA0 = 10-10m)

As the distance between 2 atoms is l then area of chain of atoms = A = l x l = l2 → (1)

Y =

Y =

Y =
(Force constant) = K = ; so

Y =

K = Yl P

K = 2.0x1011x2.8x10-10

K = 2x2.8x1011-10

K = 5.6x104

K = 56Nm-1

13. Four identical hollow cylindrical columns of mild steel support a big structure of
mass 50,000 kg. The inner and outer radii of each column are 30 cm and 60 cm
respectively. Assuming the load distribution to be uniform, calculate the compressional
strain of each column.

Ans. Mass of the big structure, M = 50,000 kg

Inner radius of the column, r = 30 cm = 0.3 m

Outer radius of the column, R = 60 cm = 0.6 m

Young's modulus of steel, Y =

Total force exerted, F = Mg = 50000 9.8 N

Stress = Force exerted on a single column = 122500 N

Young's modulus, Y
Where,

Area, A =

Hence, the compressional strain of each column is .

14. A piece of copper having a rectangular cross-section of 15.2 mm 19.1 mm is pulled

intension with 44,500 N force, producing only elastic deformation. Calculate the
resulting strain?

Ans. Length of the piece of copper, l = 19.1 mm =

Breadth of the piece of copper, b = 15.2 mm =

Area of the copper piece:

A = l b

Tension force applied on the piece of copper, F = 44500 N

Modulus of elasticity of copper,

Modulus of elasticity,
=

15. The edge of an aluminum cube is 10 cm long. One face of the cube is firmly fixed to
a vertical wall. A mass of 100 kg is then attached to the opposite face of the cube. The
shear modulus of aluminium is 25 GPa. What is the vertical deflection of this face?

Ans. Edge of the aluminium cube, L = 10 cm = 0.1 m

The mass attached to the cube, m = 100 kg

Shear modulus ( ) of aluminium =

Shear modulus,

Where,
F = Applied force = mg = 100 9.8 = 980 N
A = Area of one of the faces of the cube = 0.1 0.1 = 0.01
ΔL = Vertical deflection of the cube

=
The vertical deflection of this face of the cube is .
4 Marks Questions

1. Compute the bulk modulus of water from the following data: Initial volume = 100.0
litre, Pressure increase = 100.0 atm (1 atm = ), Final volume = 100.5 litre.
Compare the bulk modulus of water with that of air (at constant temperature). Explain
in simple terms why the ratio is so large.

Ans. Initial volume,

Final volume,

Increase in volume,

Increase in pressure, Δp = 100.0 atm = 100 1.013 105 Pa

Bulk modulus =

Bulk modulus of air

This ratio is very high because air is more compressible than water.

2. The Marina trench is located in the Pacific Ocean, and at one place it is nearly eleven
km beneath the surface of water. The water pressure at the bottom of the trench is
about . A steel ball of initial volume 0.32 bis dropped into the ocean
and falls to the bottom of the trench. What is the change in the volume of the ball when
it reaches to the bottom?
Ans. Water pressure at the bottom, p =

Initial volume of the steel ball, V = 0.32

Bulk modulus of steel, B =

The ball falls at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, which is 11 km beneath the surface.

Let the change in the volume of the ball on reaching the bottom of the trench be ΔV.

Bulk modulus, B =

Therefore, the change in volume of the ball on reaching the bottom of the trench is
.

3. A rigid bar of mass 15 kg is supported symmetrically by three wires each 2.0 m long.
Those at each end are of copper and the middle one is of iron. Determine the ratio of
their diameters if each is to have the same tension.

Ans. The tension force acting on each wire is the same. Thus, the extension in each case is
the same. Since the wires are of the same length, the strain will also be the same.

The relation for Young's modulus is given as:

……..(i)
Where,

F = Tension force

A = Area of cross-section

d = Diameter of the wire

It can be inferred from equation (i) that

Young's modulus for iron,

Diameter of the iron wire =

Young's modulus for copper,

Diameter of the copper wire =

Therefore, the ratio of their diameters is given as:

5 Marks Questions

1. A steel wire of length 4.7 m and cross-sectional area stretches by the

same amount as a copper wire of length 3.5 m and cross-sectional area of
under a given load. What is the ratio of the Young's modulus of steel to
that of copper?

Ans. Length of the steel wire,

= 4.7 m

Area of cross-section of the steel wire,

Length of the copper wire, = 3.5 m

Area of cross-section of the copper wire,

Change in length = = = ΔL

Force applied in both the cases = F

Young's modulus of the steel wire:

… (i)

Young's modulus of the copper wire:

… (ii)
Dividing (i) by (ii), we get:

The ratio of Young's modulus of steel to that of copper is 1.79: 1.

2. Two wires of diameter 0.25 cm, one made of steel and the other made of brass are
loaded as shown in Fig. 9.13. The unloaded length of steel wire is 1.5 m and that of brass
wire is 1.0 m. Compute the elongations of the steel and the brass wires.

Ans. Elongation of the steel wire = m

Elongation of the brass wire = m

Diameter of the wires, d = 0.25 m

Hence, the radius of the wires, = 0.125 cm

Length of the steel wire, = 1.5 m

Length of the brass wire, = 1.0 m

Total force exerted on the steel wire:

Young's modulus for steel:

Where,

= Change in the length of the steel wire

= Area of cross-section of the steel wire

Young's modulus of steel,

Total force on the brass wire:

Young's modulus for brass:

Where,

= Change in length

= Area of cross-section of the brass wire

Elongation of the steel wire =

Elongation of the brass wire =

3. A 14.5 kg mass, fastened to the end of a steel wire of unstretched length 1.0 m, is
whirled in a vertical circle with an angular velocity of 2 rev/s at the bottom of the
circle. The cross-sectional area of the wire is 0.065 . Calculate the elongation of the
wire when the mass is at the lowest point of its path.

Ans. Mass, m = 14.5 kg

Length of the steel wire, l = 1.0 m

Angular velocity, = 2 rev/s = 2 2π rad/s = 12.56 rad/s

Cross-sectional area of the wire,

Let Δl be the elongation of the wire when the mass is at the lowest point of its path.

When the mass is placed at the position of the vertical circle, the total force on the mass is:

F = mg +

= 2429.53 N
Young’s modulus

Young's modulus for steel =

Hence, the elongation of the wire is

4. What is the density of water at a depth where pressure is 80.0 atm, given that its
density at the surface is ?

Ans. Let the given depth be h.

Pressure at the given depth, p = 80.0 atm =

Density of water at the surface,

Let be the density of water at the depth h.

Let be the volume of water of mass m at the surface.

Let be the volume of water of mass m at the depth h.

Let ΔV be the change in volume.

 Volumetric strain =

………… (i)

Bulk modulus,

Compressibility of water

……….. (ii)

For equations (i) and (ii), we get:

Therefore, the density of water at the given depth (h) is .

5. Determine the volume contraction of a solid copper cube, 10 cm on an edge, when
subjected to a hydraulic pressure of Pa.

Ans. Length of an edge of the solid copper cube, l = 10 cm = 0.1 m

Hydraulic pressure, p = Pa

Bulk modulus of copper, B = Pa

Bulk modulus,

Where, = Volumetric strain

ΔV = Change in volume

V = Original volume.

Original volume of the cube, V =

Therefore, the volume contraction of the solid copper cube is .

6. A rod of length 1.05 m having negligible mass is supported at its ends by two wires of
steel (wire A) and aluminium (wire B) of equal lengths as shown in Fig. 9.15. The cross-
sectional areas of wires A and B are 1.0 mm2 and 2.0 mm2, respectively. At what point
along the rod should a mass m be suspended in order to produce (a) equal stresses and
(b) equal strains in both steel and aluminium wires.

Ans. (a) 0.7 m from the steel-wire end

(b) 0.432 m from the steel-wire end

Cross-sectional area of wire A,

Cross-sectional area of wire B,

Young's modulus for steel,

Young's modulus for aluminium,

(a) Let a small mass m be suspended to the rod at a distance y from the end where wire A is
attached.

Stress in the wire =

If the two wires have equal stresses, then:

Where, = Force exerted on the steel wire

= Force exerted on the aluminum wire

 …………….(i)

The situation is shown in the following figure.

Taking torque about the point of suspension, we have:

….. (ii)

Using equations (i) and (ii), we can write:

In order to produce an equal stress in the two wires, the mass should be suspended at a
distance of 0.7 m from the end where wire A is attached.

(b)Young’s modulus =
If the strain in the two wires is equal, then:

……….. (iii)

Taking torque about the point where mass m, is suspended at a distance y1 from the side
where wire A attached, we get:

…. (iii)

Using equations (iii) and (iv), we get:

In order to produce an equal strain in the two wires, the mass should be suspended at a
distance of 0.432 m from the end where wire A is attached.

7. A mild steel wire of length 1.0 m and cross-sectional area is

stretched, well within its elastic limit, horizontally between two pillars. A mass of 100 g
is suspended from the mid-point of the wire. Calculate the depression at the midpoint.

Ans.

Length of the steel wire = 1.0 m

Area of cross-section, A =

A mass 100 g is suspended from its midpoint.

m = 100 g = 0.1 kg

Hence, the wire dips, as shown in the given figure.

Original length = XZ

Depression = l

The length after mass m, is attached to the wire = XO + OZ

Increase in the length of the wire:

Δl = (XO + OZ) – XZ

Where, XO = OZ =
Expanding an neglecting higher terms, we get:

Strain =

Let T be the tension in the wire.

∴mg = 2T cosθ

Using the figure, it can be written as:

Expanding the expression and eliminating the higher terms:

Stress =

Young’s modulus =

Young's modulus of steel, Y =

Hence, the depression at the midpoint is 0.0106 m.