SS 1 Physics

WEEK 8
ELASTICITY
Definition of elastic properties of a material

When a material is stretched by a force, its size or shape may change. The larger the force applied, the greater
the deformation. Some materials can regain their original shape or size when the straitening force is removed.
Such materials are called Elastic Material.
Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape and dimension upon removal of the applied
force.
Elastic properties of materials are very useful in many applications. The application of this property of
materials includes spring balance of a clock, spiral spring used in the shock absorber of cars, materials for
bridges, etc. are shooting of stones and in a catapult.
Elasticity: The ability of a material to return to its original shape and dimension upon removal of the applied
force. This ability varies from one material to another.
Elastic limit (E): The load above which the material no longer recovers its original shape and dimension upon
removal of the load.
Yield point (Y): The load at which the material begins to show a substantial deviation from Hooke’s law, i.e.
the beginning of plastic deformation.
Maximum load (M): The maximum load which the material can support
Fracture point (F): The load at which the material breaks into two, i.e. it fractures.
Hooke’s law
This state that, the extension of a wire is directly proportional to the load applied provided the elastic limit is
not exceeded.
Mathematically, f = ke
k is called the stiffness or force constant of the material.
The unit is N.
Stiffness or force constant: Stiffness or Force constant of an elastic material is the force required to give a unit
extension.
k =f/e
The unit is Nm-1
Worked examples
(1) A force of 0.8N is stretching an elastic spring by 2cm. find the elastic constant of the spring.
Solution:
From Hooke’s law
F = ke
F = 0.8N, e = 2cm
e = 0.02m
0.8 = 0.02k
k =0.8 / 0.02
k = 40Nm-1
(2) A spiral spring extends by 5m under a load of 60N. When the load is replaced by a steel block, the new
extension is 7m, the weight of the steel block is.
Solution
From Hooke’s law; F = ke
F = 60N, e = 5m
60 = 5k
k = 60 / 5
k = 12Nm-1
Therefore; F = ke
k = 12N/m, e = 7m
Weight of the block = ke
Weight of the block = 12 x 7
= 84N.
Stress and strain
Stress is defined as the force acting on a unit cross-sectional area of the material. If a tensile force F is applied
to a material of cross-sectional area A.
Tensile stress = Force / Area
The unit is N/m2
Strain is the ratio of the extension (x) to the original length (L), i.e.
Tensile strain = extension / length
It has no unit
YOUNG’S MODULUS: The young’s modulus of elasticity is the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain within the
elastic region.
Young’s modulus (E) = tensile stress / tensile strain
Young’s modulus (E) = (force * length) / (area * extension)
The unit is N/m2
Energy stored in a stretched body
Whenever an elastic material is stretched, work is done on the material. This work is stored in the material as
potential energy. For instance, when you stretch a catapult it has potential energy, which can throw a stone.
The stored potential energy is thereby converted to the kinetic energy of the stone.
Work done
The work done when a wire or bar undergoes an extension x under an applied force (F) is
Work done = ½ Fx
= ½ kx2
Elastic potential energy
The elastic potential energy or energy stored in an elastic bar or spring is equal to the work done in stretching
the bar by a distance x.
i.e. Elastic potential energy = ½ kx2
Therefore, when Hooke’s law is obeyed,
the work done is the area under the force vs extension plot.
Worked examples;
(1) A spring is stretched 40mm by a force of 15N. What is the work done by the force?
Solution
W = ½ Fe
e = 40 mm = 0.04m
F = 15N
W = ½ x 15 x 0.04
W = 0.3J
(2) If a force of 8N extends a spring by 0.4m. Calculate the force constant of the spring and the energy stored
in the spring.
Solution
F = ke, F = 8N, e = 0.4m
k = F/e
= 8/0.4
k = 20N/m
Energy stored = ½ ke
= ½ x 20 x (0.4)
= 1.6J
(3) A rubber band of length 20cm has a load of 10N tied to one end while suspended freely at the other end. If
the length of the band now increases to 25cm, calculate the stiffness of the rubber band. What will be the new
length when a load of 15N is suspended from its end?
Solution
(i) Extension = new length – original length
= 25cm – 20cm
= 5cm
= 0.05m
Force = 10N
F = ke
10N = k (5cm)
k = 2Ncm-1
(ii) If 15 = 2e
Then e = 7.5cm or 0.75m
The new length will 20 cm + 7.5cm = 27.5cm
(4) A force of 2N stretches an elastic material by 30mm. what additional force will stretch the material to 35mm?
Assume that the elastic limit is not exceeded.
Solution
From Hooke’s law, F = ke
F = 2N, e = 30mm, e = 0.03m
k = F/e = 2/0.03
= 66.67N/m
let the force stretching the material 35mm be:

F = ke
F= 66.67 x 0.035
F = 2.33N
Therefore additional force = 2.33N – 2.00N
= 0.33N

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WEEK 8

Definition of elastic properties of a material

Stress and strain

let the force stretching the material 35mm be:

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