Experiment 6: Force and Deformation

By: Jomar E. Bienes

Email: jomar.bienes@yahoo.com

Abstract
This study aims to know more about the concept of elasticity and to determine the bending of a flat bar as a
function of the applied force. This study also aims to obtain the Youngs modulus of a flat bar and the Shear
modulus of a wire. In this study, metal pipes are stretched and wires are twisted to determine the amount of stress
and strain measured by the instruments. It is important to know the limits of an object and its breaking point because
it serves as the reference of how much force an object could endure or lasts.

Theories
In elasticity, there are two measurable quantities called stress and strain. When a force tending to distort a
body is applied, internal forces resist the distortion. The stress causing the distortion is defined as the ratio of the
internal force to the area over which the force is distributed. Hookes Law states that the applied stress is directly
proportional to the strain produced.
1

The limits of Hookes Law: the proportional limit is the maximum stress for which stress and strain are
proportional. Beyond the proportional limit, Hookes law is not valid. The elastic limit is the stress beyond which
irreversible deformation occurs. The breaking stress, or ultimate strength is the stress ate which the material breaks.
2

Hookes law is found to be valid for almost any solid, that is, from iron to bone. However, it is only valid
up to a point because if the force is too great, the object stretches excessively and eventually breaks.



Methodology
Part A: Determining Youngs Modulus
The instruments in measuring the Youngs modulus were set-up. Two iron stands were placed about 30 cm
apart and two clamps were attached on each stand. The clamps on one stand were made sure it aligned the other iron
stand. The iron rod was then placed on the clamps. Small pins were attached to the other remaining clamps and then
the flat bar was placed on the pins. The length of the bar was measured and served as the L. The dial gauge was then
placed on the iron rod. 50 g mass was placed at the centre of the flat bar carefully. The sag on the flat bar was
measured using the dial gauge. The load and reading of the dial gauge was recorded. Additional 50 g mass was
added each time until a total of 300 g mass was reached. Then 1 piece of 50 g mass was removed and this was
continued and recorded until all load was taken out. The weight was computed by multiplying the mass in kg by 9.8
m/s^2. The result was then graphed.

1
Physics 31 Manual Department of Physics University of San Carlos p. 45
2
University Physics by Sears and Zermansky 13
th
Edition p. 397
Part B: Determining Shear Modulus
The wire was set up according to figure shown in the manual. The clamps were positioned carefully so that
the wire was really vertical and did not bend. The length and diameter was measured and recorded then the pointer
of the torsion apparatus was to zero reading. The distance from the centre of the apparatus to the outermost pin was
also measured and recorded. The spring balance was hooked on one end to the outermost pin of the apparatus and it
was then pulled until the pointer of the apparatus reads . t was made sure the spring balance and lever arm were
perpendicular to each other. The reading of the spring balance was recorded as the angle increased. t was continued
until it reached and the reading of the spring balance was recorded at each was increased. The pull was then
slowly reduced to interval until it reached back to . The reading of the spring balance was recorded as the angle
decreased at interval. The corresponding torque was then computed for every twisting angle. The result was then
graphed.

Data Analysis
Computed values of Youngs Modulus
Trial Load m (kg) Force F (N) y-increasing (m) y-decreasing
1 0.050 0.49 0.00040 0.00058
2 0.100 0.98 0.00091 0.00099
3 0.150 1.47 0.00143 0.00145
4 0.200 1.96 0.00181 0.00194
5 0.250 2.45 0.00230 0.00228
6 0.300 2.94 0.00281 0.00276

The data above was gathered from performing the experiment. Base on the data, y-increasing and y-decreasing have
nearly similar results. These results were then graphed (see the cross section attached). Through this graph, we were
able to determine the slope and through the slope we can determine the Youngs Modulus then the percentage error.
Sample Computations:
Finding the slope:
Slope =

Slope =

Slope =

N/m
Finding the Y:
Y =

Y =

Y = 3.63

Pa

The value of Youngs Modulus is very far from the true value and causes a big percentage error.
%error = |

| = 81.5%
The error is very big and one factor that may have caused this is wrong reading of measurement of the dial gauge.
Trial (deg) (rad) Force (N) Torque (Nm)
increasing decreasing increasing decreasing
1 10 /18 0.15 0.15 0.028 0.028
2 20 0.35 0.40 0.065 0.074
3 30 /6 0.60 0.65 0.111 0.120
4 40 0.80 0.75 0.148 0.139
5 50 1.05 1.10 0.194 0.204
6 60 /3 1.25 1.35 0.231 0.250
7 70 1.50 1.50 0.278 0.278
8 80 1.70 1.70 0.315 0.315

This data was gathered by performing the experiment. The torque was computed using the Length of the lever arm
multiplied by force. There is a big difference when the torque and force are graph because the factors are the angled
formed and the applied force.
Finding the Shears Modulus:
S =

= 7.34

The percentage error for the Shear is small. (See attached cross section)

Conclusion
The Youngs and Shear Modulus are ways of finding an objects elasticity and breaking point. n this experiment, we
were to determine its strain and stress. From the data gathered and computed, we are able to determine a