ELASTICITY

Elasticity is a branch of physics which studies the properties of elastic materials. A material is said to be
elastic if its deforms under stress (external forces) nut then returns to its original shape and size when the
stress is removed. The amount of deformation as a result of stress is called strain.

The amount of stress can be calculated by the equation below where F is force and A is the area where the
force is exerted on.

Stress = F / A

Meanwhile, the amount of strain meanwhile can be calculated by the expression where S is the object’s
length.

Strain = ΔS / S

Hooke’s law defines the relationship between stress and strain. Based on this law, the stress applied on a
solid object is proportional to the amount of deformation on the solid object as a result of the stress. The
relationship can be defined mathematically by the expression below where k is a constant.

F = kS

Sample Problems (Set A):

1. An elastic rod 5 m long and 0.00025 m2 in cross sectional area stretches 0.00070 m when a mass
of 66 kg is hung in it. Find the stress and strain for the material rod.

Stress = F / A = mg / A = [66 kg (9.8 m/s2)] / 0.00025 m2 = 2.59 x 106 N/m2

Strain = ΔS / S = 0.00070 m / 5 m = 1.4 x 10-4 n/m2

2. A helical spring support has a mass of 20 kg. If the spring constant is 1500 N/m, by how much
will it be stretched?

S = F / k = [20 kg (9.8 m/s2)] / 1500 N/m = 0.13 m

The Modulus of Elasticity is a quantity that measures an object or substance’s resistance to being
deformed elastically when a stress is applied to it and such may be defined according to the type of
deformation the material may undergo. There are 3 types of deformation, hence, 3 types of modulus of
elasticity too.

Young’s Modulus of Elasticity (Stretch Modulus): A measure comparing the elasticity of different
materials when stretched. The ratio of stretching force applied on an object and the stretching that takes
place on the object as a result of the application of the stretching force.

YM = (F / A) / (ΔS / S)

Bulk Modulus of Elasticity (Compress Modulus): A measure comparing the elasticity of different
materials when subjected to compressive force. The ratio of compressive force applied on an object and
the compression (change in volume) that takes place on the object as a result of the application of the
compressive force.

BM = (F / A) / (ΔV / V)

Shear Modulus of Elasticity (Rigidity Modulus): A measure comparing the elasticity of different
materials when subjected to tangential (shearing) force. The ratio of shearing force applied on an object
and the amount of shearing strain (rotation on an angle) that takes place on the object as a result of the
application of the shearing force.

SM = (F / A) / θ

(Where θ is the angle of shear)

Sample Problems (Set B):

1. An elastic rod 2 m long and 0.00015 m2 in cross section stretches 0.00045 m when a mass of 33
kg is hanged on it. Find the Young’s Modulus of Elasticity.

YM = (33 kg (9.8 m/s2)) / 0.00015m2) / (0.00045 m / 2 m) = 9.58 x 109 N/m2

2. The BM of a substance is 0.21 x 1010 N/m2. Calculate the volume of contraction of 0.0018 m 3 of
this object when it is subjected to a stress of 140 x 104 N/m2.

ΔV = [(140 x 104 N/m2) (0.0018 m3)] / 0.21 x 1010 N/m2 = 1.2 x 10-6 m3

3. Two parallel forces, each of 10,000 N, are applied tangentially to opposite faces of a 30 cm x 30
cm x 30 cm cubical block of steel. Find the angle of shear, if the Shear Modulus of steel is 4.8 x
10-10 N/m2.

θ = [10000 N / (0.09 m2)] / 4.8 x 1010 N/m2 = 2.31 x 1014

 ACTIVITY 2

Name: ______________________________________ Section: ___________ Rating: ________

Direction: Solve the following problems. Show your solution.

1. A copper wire 100 cm long and 0.20 cm in diameter is suspended from a solid support. A 20 kg
mass is hung from the lower ends of the wire. The Young’s Modulus of Elasticity for copper is
11.6 x 1010 N/m. a) Determine the stress in the wire. b) Determine the strain in the wire. c) How
much does the wire stretched?

2. A block of gelatin is 5 cm x 5 cm x 2 cm when unstressed. A force of 2.45 x 10 -1 N is applied

tangentially to the upper surface (5 cm x 5 cm surface) causing a 5 mm displacement relative to
the lower surface. Find the a) shearing stress, b) the shearing strain, and c) the shear modulus.
3. Calculate the volume contraction of a 1.6 x 103 cm3 object when subjected to a pressure of 1.5
Mega Newton per square meter whose Bulk Modulus is 4.5 x 10 9 N/m2.

4. A steel rod 5 m long and 5 x 10-4 cm2 in cross section stretches 1.5 mm when a mass of 300 kg is
hung from its lower end. Compute the Young’s Modulus for the steel.

5. Find the volume contraction of a solid copper cube, 50 mm on each side, when subjected to a
stress of 20 N/m2. The Bulk Modulus for copper is 1.25 x 1010 N/m2.