PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

ELASTICITY
*

I nter atomic for ces

* Elastic M odulii

* Behaviour of wir e under str ess

* Elastic ener gy

1.1 I NTRODUCTI ON
Elasticity deals with property of a material, its
strength and ability to withstand against external
forces which are acting on it. While selecting a
suitable material for a project, an engineer is always
interested to know its strength. The strength of a
material may be defined as an ability to resist its
failure under the action of external forces. As a matter
of fact the properties of a material under the action
of external forces are very essential, for an engineer,
to enalbe him, in designing him all types of structures
and machines.The properties of matter like elasticity,
surface tension, viscocity, can be studied well with
the help of interatomic and intermolecular forces.

The for ces acting between the atoms due to

electr ostatic inter action between the char ges of
the atoms ar e called inter atomic for ces. Thus
interatomic forces are electrical in nature. The
interatomic forces are active if the distance between
the two atoms is of the order of atomic size
1010 m .
During interaction between the two atoms, the
following electrostatic forces will be active
(i)Attractive forces between the nucleus of one atom
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lsion

1.2 I NTERATOM I C FORCES

repu

The forces acting among charged particles in

an atom are responsible for structure of atom. The
electromagnetic forces acting among atoms are
responsible for the structure of molecules. The
electromagnetic forces acting among the molecules
are responsible for the structure of matter and their
elastic behaviour.

and electrons of the other atom. These attractive

forces tend to decrease the potential energy of the
pair of atoms.
(ii) The repuslive forces between the nucleus
of one atom with the nucleus of another atom and
electrons of one atom with the electrons of the other
atom. These repulsive forces tend to increase the
potential energy of pair of atoms.
The potential energy U is related with the force
dU
F by the relations. F
. The variation of
dr
potential energy U(r) and interatomic force F(r) with
separation r between two atoms have been shown in
graphs (fig (1), fig (2))

x
O

r0

attraction
fig.(2)
From graphs the following points are observed.
(i)At large distances, the potential energy is
negative and becomes more negative as r decrease.
It implies that interatomic force in this region is
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attractive. For a particular value of r denoted by x in

fig.(2), the attractive interatomic force becomes
maximum. After this distance x, the attractive force
starts decreasing rapidly with the further decrease in
the value of r

the force of attraction becomes maximum. After this

distance, the force of attraction decreases and
becomes zero at a distance r0. It is found that foce of
attraction between the molecules varies inversely as
the seventh power of intermolecular distance r, i.e.,

(ii) At a distance r0 the potential energy attains

minimum value (maximum negative value). At this
stage, the two atoms will be in a state of equilibrium.
The distance r0 is called as normal or equilibrium
distance. At this distance, the attractive force between
two atoms will become zero.

1
a
orFa 7 The negative sign indicates that
7
r
r
the force is attractive in nature.

(iii) As the distance is further decreased below

r0, the potential energy starts increasing, becomes
zero for a particular value of r and after this becomes
positive. In this region, the interatomic force is
repulsive, the repulsive force increases very rapidly
as the distance between the two atoms decreases.
So, the two atoms cannot be fused together easily.
therefore, atoms are regarded as hard elastic spheres.
1.3 I NTER M OL ECUL AR FORCES
The for ce between the molecules due to
electr ostatic inter action between the char ges of
the molecules ar e called inter molecular for ces.
Thus intermolecular forces are also electrical in
origin. These forces are active if the separation
between two molecules is of the order of molecular
size 10 9 m
The variation of intermolecular forces with
distance is shown in fig.
repu

lsion

x
O

r0

r
attraction
fig.(2)

(i) For large distnace r, the intermolecular force is

neglisibly small. As the distance decreases, the force
of attraction increases. At a particular distance x,
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Fa

(ii) When the distance between the molecules

becomes less than r0, the force becomes repulsive in
nature. The repulsive force increases very rapidly
with decrease in intermolecular distance. It is found
that repuslive force varies inversely as the ninth
power of r, ie. Fr

1
b
or Fr 9
9
r
r

1.4 : Some impor tant defimitions

(i)Defor ming For ce : When an exter nal for ce is
applied on a body which is not fr ee to move, the
molecules of the body ar e for ced to under go a
change in their r elative positions. Due to this
change, the body may suffer a change in length
(or ) volume (or ) shape. Such a body is said to be
deformed. The applied for ce is called defor ming
for ce.
(ii) Restor ing for ce : The for ce developed within
t he body on account of r elat ive molecular
displacement is called inter nal for ce (or ) elastic
for ce (or ) r estor ing for ce.
At equilibrium the restoring force developed in
a body is equal and opposite to the deforming force
applied on the body.
(iii) Rigid body : A body is said to be r igid if the
r elative positions of its constituent par ticles
r emain unchanged inspite of any amount of
defor ming force. There is no perfect rigid body. The
nearest approach to a rigid body is diamond.
(iv) Elasticity : I t is the pr oper ty of mater ial of a
body by vir tue of which the body r egains its
or iginal length, volume and shape after the
defor ming for ces have been r emoved.
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PHYSICS - I C

If a body regains its original length, volume and

shape completely when the deforming forces are
removed, then the body is said to be a perfectly elastic
body. There is no perfectly elastic body in nature.
The nearest approach to a perfectly elastic body is
Quartz fiber.
(v) Reason for elasticity : In a solid, atoms and
molecules are arranged in such a way that each
molecule is acted upon by the forces due to
neighbouring molecules. These forces are known
as intermolecular forces. The two molecules in their
equilibrium positions are at certain separation (r =
r0) called inter molecular seperation. At this
separation the potential energy is minimum. On
applying the deforming forces, the molecules either
come closer or go far apart from each other. In both
the cases potential energy of molecules is greater
than the minimum. Since every system tends to
remain in the state of minimum potential energy, the
molecules has a tendency to come back to its original
position. Tendency of the body to recover its original
configuration can be interpreted as due to the
presence of some forces known as restoring forces
acting in a direction opposite to that of deforming
forces. This gives rise to the property of elasticity.
When the deforming forces are removed, these
restoring forces bring the molecules of solid to their
respective equilibrium positions (r = r0) and hence
the body regains its original form.
(vi) Plasticity : The pr operty of material of a body
by vir tue of which it does not r egain its or iginal
shape and size (i.e it r emains in the defor med
state) even after the r emoval of defor ming for ce
is called plasticity.
If a body does not have any tendency to recover
its original configuration on the removal of deforming
force, then the body is said to be a perfectly plastic
body. There is no perfectly plastic body in nature,
the nearest approach to a perfect plastic body is putty.
Note 1.1 : Most of the bodies are neither
perfectly elastic nor perfectly plastic. They are
partially elastic.
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ELASTICITY

1.5 Str ess : When a deforming force is applied on a

body, there will be relative displacement of the
particles. Due to property of elasticity an internal
restoring force is developed which tends to restore
the body to its original state.
Definition :The internal r estoring force acting per
unit ar ea of cr osssection of the defor med body
is called str ess.
Stress

Re storing force
F

Area of cross section A

At equilibrium, as the restoring force is equal in

magnitude and opposite to external deforming force,
stress can also be equal to external deforming force
per unit area on a body.
If F is the external deforming force applied
on the Area A of the body then
Stress

Deforming force ( F )
Area ( A)

* Stress is a tensor quantity

* SI unit of stress is Pascal (N/m2)
* C.G.S. unit of stress is dyne cm2.
* Dimensional formula of stress is (ML1T2)
* The units and dimensions of stress are same
as that of pressure.
Stress developed in a body depends upon how
the external forces are applied over it. On this basis
there are two types of stresses. They are (a) Normal
stress (b) Tangential ( or) shearing stress.
(a) Nor mal Str ess : I f the str ess is nor mal to the
sur face, it is called nor mal str ess. The stress is
always normal in the case of change in length of a
wire (or) volume of a body.
The normal stress can further be compressive
(or) tensile depending upon whether it produces a
decrease (or) increase in length or volume.
(i) L ongitudinal str ess : When a nor mal str ess
changes the length of a body then it is called
longitudinal str ess. (or )
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When a force is applied nor mal to the cr osssectional ar ea of the body such that its length
changes then the r estor ing for ce developed per
unit cr oss-sectional ar ea is called longitudinal
stress.
Deforming force (F)

Longitudinal stress =

Area of cross - section (A)

It can be further divided into two types, they

are tensile stress and compressive stress.
1) If a rod is stretched by two equal forces
applied normal to its crosssectional area,the
restoring force developed per unit area in this case is
called tensile stress.
A

As shown in figure, a small solid sphere is placed

in a fluid such that it is compressed uniformly on all
sides. The force applied by the fluid acts in
perpendicular direction at each point of the surface
and the body is said to be under hydraulic
compression. This leads to decrease in its volume
without any change of its geometrical shape. The
internal restoring force per unit area in this case is
known as bulk stress and is equal to the hydraulic
pressure in magnitude (applied force per unit area)
F

V V

F
B ody subjected to tensile force
A

Volume stress
F
Force
=
=
(or)
surface area A
Bulk stress

F
Tensile stress

Ex : A string fixed at one end and stretched at

the other end experience tensile stress.
2) If a rod is compressed under the action of
applied forces, the restoring force per unit area is
called compressive stress.
A

F
Body subjected to compressive force
A

F
Com pressive stress

Ex: The pillars of a building experience

compressive stress.
(ii) Volume (or) Bulk stress : When a normal stress
changes the volume of a body then it is called
volume str ess.
When forces of equal magnitude act on a body
normally from all directions, the volume of the body
changes. The body develops internal restoring forces
that are equal and opposite to the forces applied. The
internal restoring force per unit area in this case is
known as volume stress.
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F
F

= Pressure (P)
(b) Shear ing stress : When the str ess is tangential
to the sur face due to the application of for ces
par allel to the sur face, then the str ess is called
tangential (or ) shear ing stress.
F
Force
=
Shearing stress =
surface area A
If two equal and opposite deforming forces are
applied parallel to the two surfaces of the cube as
shown in the figure, there is relative displacement
between the opposite faces of the cube. The restoring
force per unit area developed due to the applied
tangential force is known as tangential (or) shearing
stress.
A

A
fixed

Note 1.2 : If deforming force is applied on a body

such that normal stress is developed in a body, then
the length or volume of the body may change.
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ELASTICITY

Note 1.3 : If deforming force is applied tangential to

the surface, such that tangential stress is developed
in a body, then the shape of the body may change.
F
Note 1.4 :
n

er

When a force F acts at an angle ' q ' with

outward normal n to the area A as shown in figure.
In this case, the stress will have the normal and
tangential components.
To find the linear (or) longitudinal stress, take
the component of the force perpendicular to the plane
of a given area A, then divide this component ( Fer )
by the area A.
F
F cos q
Longitudinal stress =
A
A
To find the shearing stress, take the component
of force parallel to the plane of the given area and
then devide F by the area A.
F
F sin q
Shearing stress =
A
A
The total stress = longitudinal stress + shearing stress

Being the ratio of two similar quantities, strain

is a dimensionless quantity and has no unit. Like
stress, strain is a tensor.
Strain is classified into three types depending
upon the change produced in a body, they are
(i) Longitudinal strain
(ii) Volume strain
(iii) Shearing strain
(i) Longitudinal strain : It isthe ratio of the change
in length of a body to its or iginal length.
Consider a wire of length ' ' and is suspended
from a rigid support. Let a stretching force F be
applied normally to its face. Let the wire suffer a
change in its length.
F

er

el

el

But not F/A.

* Pr oblem 1.1
A steel wir e of 2mm in diameter is str etched
by applying a for ce of 72N. Find the str ess in the
wir e.
Solution :
r 1103 m; F=72N
F
F
72
The stress = 2
2
A pr
p 1103
72
2.292107 Nm2 .
p 106
1.6 Str ain :
When the forces (or) a torque acting upon a body
causes relative displacements of its particles, a
change in length (or) volume (or) shape is produced.
The body is then said to be strained.
Def : The r at io of change pr oduced in t he
dimensions of a body by a system of for ces or
couples in equilibr ium to its or iginal dimensions
is called str ain.

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change in length

Longitudinal strain =

original length

I f the length incr eases due to tensile str ess,

the cor r esponding str ain is called tensile str ain.
I f the length decr eases due to compressive str ess,
the strain is called compr essive str ain.
(ii) Volume str ain : I t is the r atio of change in
volume of body to its or iginal volume.
Let v be the volume of a given body. Under
the action of a normal stress, let the change in volume
of the body be V .Then
F

V- V

change in volume V
Volume strain = original volume V

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ELASTICITY

(iii) Shear ing str ain : I t is defined as angle q in

r adians thr ough which a plane per pendicular to
the fixed sur face of the cubical body gets tur ned
under the effect of tangential for ce .
I t is also the r atio of the displacement of a

x
layer to its distance from the fixed layer. q

Consider a cube of material fixed at its lower

face and acted upon by a tangential force F at its
upper surface as shown in figure (a). The upper
surface is displaced relative to lower surface by x
as show in the figure (b). The perpendicular distance
between upper and lower fixed layer is ' ' . Then
F

G
F

Fixed
Surface
fig (a)

E
D

q
C

Fixed
fig (b)

Shearing strain = q

* Pr oblem 1.2
A copper wir e of length 1m is str etched by
1cm. Find the str ain on the wir e
Solution : The strain

e 1102

0.01
L
1

* Pr oblem 1.3
If a platinum wir e is stretched by 0.5% what
is the str ain on the wir e?
Solution :
e
Fractional increase in the length = strain
L
0.5
0.005 .
The strain =0.5% =
100
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1.8 Hookes law: Hookes law states that within

elastic limit, the str ess is dir ectly pr opor tional to
the strain
stress strain (for small deformations)
stress = E x (strain)
stress
E
strain

Where E is proportionality constant and it is also

called modulus of elasticity.
Def : M odulus of elasticity of the mater ial of a
body is the str ess in the body to pr oduce unit
str ain (within the elastic limit).

1.7 Elastic limit : The maximum str ess within

which a body can r egain its or iginal size and
shape after the r emoval of the deforming for ce is
called elastic limit. If the stress developed in a body
excedes this limit, then it will not get the initial size
and shape completely, even after the removal of
deforming force.

E depends on the nature of the material, temperature

and impurities. It is independent of dimentions of
the body.
SI unit of E is Pascal (Pa) 1pa 1N / m 2
C.G.S. unit is dyne / cm2
Dimensional formula is ML1T 2
1.9 Factor s effecting Elasticity:
(i) ANNEAL I NG : The processes responsible for
making uniform structures from a given sample
reduce the elasticity of a material while those
responsible for generating smaller regular units inside
the sample increase the elasticity. Hence annealing
decreases elasticity while hammering and rolling
increases it.
(ii)I M PURI TI ES: The impurity having higher
elasticity than the sample to which it is added
increases the elasticity while the impurity with smaller
elasticity decreases the elasticity of the sample.
(iii)TEM PERATURE: Normally, elasticity of the
material gets decreased with rise in temperature.
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ELASTICITY

However, INVAR STEEL is a material whose elastic

behaviour is not affected by rise in temperature.

1.10 Types of modulii

Depending on the type of str ess developed
and the r esulting str ain, we have the following
three modulii of elasticity.
(i) Youngs modulus
(ii) Bulk modulus
(iii) Modulus of Rigidity
1.11 Youngs modulus (Y) : I t is the r atio of
longitudinal str ess to the longitudinal str ain
within elastic limit.
longitudinal stess
i.e., Y
longitudinal strain
F

Pr oblem 1.5
A load (M ) suspended fr om a wir e pr oduces
an elongation (e) in the wir e then find the r ise in
temperature required to produce same elongation
in the same wir e.

Consider a wire of length ' ' and cross sectional area A. One end of the wire fixed to rigid
support and a stretching force F is applied normally
to its face as shown in the figure. Due to the
stretching force, the length of the wire changes by
. Then at equilibrium.
F
Longitudinal stress =
A

Longitudinal strain =
F

longitudinal stress A F
Y = longitudinal strain = A

If a force is applied on a wire of radius r

by hanging a load of mass M as shown in figure

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Y
1 , Hence
A

But as

F

A
Y

sol :

Mg
2
pr
Mg
Y 2
then Y

p r

Pr oblem 1.4
Show that str ess r equir ed to double the
length of wire (or) to pr oduce 100% longitudinal
str ain is numer ically equal to Youngs modulus.
Sol : 1 , 2 2
F

A
2 , Y

F
.......1
AY

at.......2

But from given data

F
F
at t
AY
AYa
Note 1.5 : If two wires having lengths 1 , 2 ; crosssectional areas A1, A2 and Youngs modulii Y1, Y2
are stretched by forces F1, F2 then
F
Y1
F1 1 A2 e2
As Y Ae Y F A e
2
2
2
2
1

Note 1.6 : In terms of volume V of a wire.

As

F
F
F 2
F2
Y

y
Ae
Ve
A e Ve

Where V is the volume of the wire

m
m
as d V
V
d
2
F d
y
me
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ELASTICITY

m mass of the wire

d density of material of the wire
In the above formula If V, F, Y are same for two
e1 12
2
e
a

wires then
e2 22
In the above formula if Y, d, F are same for two wires
2
2
e1 1 m2
then e a
m
e2 2 m1
Note 1.7 : As Y

Pr oblem 1.7
Two wires of same length and r adius are
j oined end to end and loaded. The Youngs
modulii of the mater ials of the two wires are Y 1
and Y 2. I f the combination behaves as a single
wire then its Youngs modulus is

e1

F F A FV
2 2
Ae
Ae
Ae

FV
FV
Y 2 4
2
Ae
pr e
m
m
as d V
V
d

Y1 A

e
Y2 A

e2

2
AY

Fm
Fm
Y

dA e
d p 2 r 4e

In the above formula if F, V, Y are same for

two wires then ea

1
1
ea 4
(or)
A
r

Pr oblem 1.6
When a body of mass m, density dB is
suspended from a wir e, its elongation is ewhen
the body is in air. I f the body is completely
immer sed in a non viscous liquid of density d
then its elongation is

In liquid

In air
F = Wa = mg
as e

F
AY

d
F 1 W mg 1
d B

e a F (as , A, Y are same in both cases)

d
1
mg
d
1
1
1
dB
1
e
F
e

dB
e
F
mg

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e e1 e2
F 2
F
F
e

, e1
, e2
but
AYeq
AY1
AY2
F 2 F
F

AYeq
AY1 AY2
2
1
1

Yeq Y1 Y2
Yeq

2Y1Y2
Y1 Y2

Pr oblem 1.8
Two wires of same length and r adius are
j oined in par allel and loaded. The Youngs
modulii of the mater ial of the wires areY 1 & Y 2.
I f the combination is taken as a single wir e then
itsYoungs modulus is
Y1

y2
A

A
W

Yeq

2A
W

F = F1 + F2
Y 2 A e Y1 Ae Y2 Ae

2Yeq Y1 Y2
Yeq

Y1 Y2
2
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* Pr oblem 1.9
The length of a metal wir e is 1 when the
tension in it is T 1 and is 2 when the tension is
T 2. Then the actual length of the wire is
Sol : Let its original length be ' ' .

Solution :
r = 0.5 x 103m; L=1m
F = 10N ; e=0.064 x 103m
10
F
F
i) Stress = 2 = p 2 =

A pr

We know e T 1 T1 .... (1)

2 T2 ...... (2)
From (1) & (2)
1
T
1 T2 1 T2 T1 2 T1
2 T2
T T
T2 1 T1 2 T2 T1 2 1 1 2
T2 T1
Pr oblem 1.10
The length of a r ubber cor d is 1 metr es
when the tension in it is 4N and 2 metr es when
the tension is 5N. Then the length in meters when
the tension is 9 N is
sol : Let ' ' be the original length and 3 be
the length of the wire when the tension is 9N.
We know e F

1 4.......1 , 2 5....... 2

3 9.......3
1 4
From (1) & (2) 5 51 5 4 2 4
2
5 1 4 2 ....... 4

-2
1.27310 7 N m

e 0.064 103
(ii) Strain =
L
1
= 0.064 x 103

Stress 1.27310 7

(iii) Y=
Strain 0.064103
= 1.989x1011Nm2
* Pr oblem 1.12
A steel wir e of diameter 1 mm and length
2m is str etched by applying a for ce of 2kg wt.
Calculate (i) the incr ease in length of the wir e,
(i i ) t he st r ai n and (i i i ) t he st r ess.
(g = 9.8 ms2, Y = 2 x 1011 N m2)
1
3
Sol: r 10 m; L 2m;
2
F = 2kg wt = 2 x 9.8N; Y = 2 x 1011 Nm2

i)

1 5 1 4 2 4
1 4
From (1) & (3) 9 5 4 9
1
3
3
2
51 4 2 4
4 2 4 1
4
1

3 51 4 2 9
3 51 4 2 9

36 2 361 4 3 201 16 2
20 2 16 1 4 3 3 5 2 4 1

* Pr oblem 1.11
A steel wir e of 1mm diameter and of length
1m is str etched by applying for ce of 10N. I f the
incr ease in length is 0.064mm, find (i) the str ess,
(ii) the strain and (iii) theYoungs modulus of the
wir e.
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Y
e

F L

r 2 e

FL
2 9.8 2

2
2
r Y
1
3

10 2 1011
2

= 2.495x104m
ii)

The strain=

e 2.495104

L
2

= 1.248104
iii) The stress = Y x strain
4

11 2.49510

10

= 2.49510 7 Nm 2
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ELASTICITY

* Pr oblem 1.13
What mass must suspended fr om the fr ee
end of a steel wir e of length 2m and diameter
1mm to str etch it by 1mm? (Y=2x1011Nm2)
1
Mg L
3
Sol: r 10 m; L 2m; Y 2
2
r e

Y r 2 e
gL

1
2

3
210 10 1103
2

9.82
11

102 100

8.015kg
9.8 4
39.2
* Pr oblem 1.14
A br ass wir e of length 5m and cr oss section
1mm2 is hung fr om a r igid suppor t, with a br ass
weight of volume 1000 cm3 hanging fr om the
other end. Find the decr ease in the length of the
wir e, when t he br ass weight is complet ely
immer sed in water.
(Ybrass=1011 Nm2; g=9.8ms2; water 1gcm 3 )
Sol:
When a weight is hung in air from the other
end of a wire, F = Mg. The increase in length of the
wire, e = ?
FL
Young's modulus, Y
Ae
MgL
e
.
AY
When weight hung in a liquid,
Weight of the body in the liquid = Mg - V g
where V is the volume of the body
This is the force, F acting on the wire i.e.,
F = Mg V g
Increase in length of the wire,
e/

Mg vg L

AY
which is less than the increase in length of the
wire when the weight is in air.
Decrease in length = e in air - e| in liquid

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MgL Mg Vg L

AY
AY

VgL
AY
Here, V = 1000cm3 = 1000 x 10-6m3
=1gcm3=1x103kgm3;g=9.8ms2;L=5m

A 1mm2 1106 m2 ;Y 11011 Nm2

The decrease in length
1000106 110 3 9.8 5
=
1106 11011
= 49 x 10-5 m = 0.49 mm
* Pr oblem 1.15
A copper wir e and a steel wir e of r adii in
the r atio 1:2, lengths in the r atio 2:1 ar e stretched
by the same force. I f the Young's modulus of
copper = 1.1 x 1011Nm2 find the r atio of their
extensions
(youngsmodulus of steel = 2 x 1011 N/m2).
FL
Sol: we know e 2
r Y
e1 L1
r
2
r1
e 2 L 2

Y2 F

Y F
1

Here r1:r2= 1:2, L1:L2 = 2:1 Y1=1.1x1011

Nm2; Y2 = 2.0x1011Nm2
2
e1 2 2 2.01011 16 160

e 2 1 1 1.11011 1.1 11

e1:e2 = 160:11
* Pr oblem 1.16
An aluminium wir e and a steel wir e of the
same length and cr oss-section ar e j oined end to
end. The composite wir e is hung fr om a r igid
suppor t and a load is suspended fr om the fr ee
end. I f the incr ease in the length of the composite
wir e is 2.7mm, find the incr ease in the length of
each wir e.
(Y A1=2x1011Nm2, Y steel =7x1011Nm2)
Sol: Total increase in length, e = e1 + e2.
e1 + e2 = 2.7 mm
14

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

FL
AY
1
As F, A, L are same for both the wires. So, e
Y
e1 Y2 21011 20
20

e1 e 2

=
,
11
e 2 Y1 710
7
7
substituting in e1 + e2 = 2.7 mm

we know e

20
e1 e 2 2.7mm
7
e2 = 0.7 mm
e1

27e 2
2.7mm
7

* Pr oblem 1.18
A steel wire of length 2 m and cross sectional
ar ea 2 mm2 is fixed at one end and str etched by
suspending a block of mass 2 kg on the sur face
of the moon. I f theYpungs modulus of steel is 2
x 1011 N m2 find the increase in the length of the
steel wir e.
1
(g on the moon of the g on the earth)
6
Sol: L = 2 m ; A = 2 mm2 = 2 x 106 m2;

20
20
e 2 0.7 2.0mm
7
7

M = 2 kg ; g on the moon =

* Pr oblem 1.17
A block of mass 1 kg is fastended to one end
of a wir e of cr oss - sectional ar ea 2 mm2 and is
r otated in a ver tical cir cle of r adius 20 cm. The
speed of the block at the bottom of the cir cle is
3.5 m s1. Find the elongation of the wir e when
the block is at the bottom.
Sol: i) Tension at the bottom of the circle,

mv
13.5
mg
19.8
r
0.2
2

= 61.25 + 9.8 = 71.05 N

This tension in the string is equal to the force,
F i.e. F = 71.05N, L =r = 0.2m.
The increase in length ,
FL
71.050.2
e

AY 2106 21011

= 3.553 x 105m
ii)

Tension at the top of the circle,

T = Tension at the bottom 6 mg
= 71.05 6 x1x9.8 = 71.05 58.8 = 12.25 N.
F = 12.25 N; L = 0.2 m.
The increase in length
e

FL
12.25 0.2

AY 2106 21011

g 9.8 2

ms
6
6

N
;e ?
m2
The increase in length ,
Y 21011

FL MgL
29.82

AY
AY
62106 21011

= 1.633 x 105m
Pr oblem 1.19
One end of a unifor m wire of length Land
mass M is attached r igidly to a point in the r oof
and a load of mass mis suspended from its lower
end. I f A is the area of cross - section of the wire
then find the str ess in the wir e at height xfr om
its lower end (x < L )
Tension in the string at point P is
(L-x)

T = wt of load + wt of wire of length x

M
x T mg
xg
L
mg Mxg
m
Stress at P = T/A = A AL
Pr oblem 1.20
A metal ring of radius rand cross- sectional
area A is to be fitted on to a wooden circular
disc of r adius R (R > r ). I f the Youngs modulus
of the mater ial of the r ing is Y the force with
which the metal r ing expands is
P
L

(R > r)

= 0.6125105 m
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

15

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

Initial length of wire 2p r

for it to be fitted onto a wodden disc, its final
length must be 1 2p R
F
Ae
YA R r

e 1 2p R r , Y
F

YAe YA2 p R r

2pr
YA R r

Pr oblem 1.21
I f two wir es ar e ar r anged as shown in the
figur e. What ar e the elongations of upper and
lower wir es
Sol :
for lower wire F = m2g

Pr oblem 1.23
A copper wire of negligible mass, length ,
cr oss - sectional ar ea (A) is kept on a smooth
horizontal table with one end fixed, a ball of mass
m is attached at other end. The wir e and the
ball are rotated with angular velocity w . If wire
elongates by then find Youngs modulus of
wir e. I f on incr easing the angular velocity fr om
w to w 1 the wir e br eakdown, obtain br eaking
str ess
Sol : a) r
F = T = mrw2

m w 2
F
as in small , F mw 2 y
Ae

F2
m g
e
e 2 2
Ay2
Ay2

A y1
1
m1
A 2
For upper wire F = (m1 +m2)g y2
m2
e

m m2 g 1
F 1
e 1
Ay1
Ay1

elongation of 2nd wire

3
A y3
mg 2
e2
D
Ay2
m
elongation of 3rd wire
mg 3
e3
Ay3
displacement of B is e1
displacement of C is e1 + e2
displacement of D is e1 + e2 + e3

b) We know Breaking stress

Breaking force
= Area of cross sec tion
m w 1
= A

Pr oblem 1.22
As shown in adjucent figur e if a load of mass
(m) is attached at lower end of lower wir e. Then
find the displacements of the points B, C, D ar e
Sol : As shown in figure
elongation of first wire
A y1
1
mg 1
B
e1
2
Ay1
A y2

AKASH MULTIMEDIA

mw 2

Pr oblem 1.24
A stone of mass (m) is attached to one end of
a small wir e of length and cr oss - sectional
area (A) suspended ver tically. The stone is now
r otated in hor izontal plane such that the wir e
mak es an angle ' q ' with ver t ical. Find the
increase in length of wire if itsYoungs modulus
is Y.
mg
Sol : From fig. T cos q mg T
cos q
S
T sin q mRw 2

q
L

F T

AY AY
mg
AY cos q

T
T cos q
q

T sin q

mg

16

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

Note : If ' q ' was not given but R, w and m was

given then in such case
T 2 cos 2 q T 2 sin 2 q mg mRw
2

T mg mRw
2

and use e

2 2

ii) equal str ains in both wir es

Youngs modulus of br ass = 1 x 1011 N/m2
Youngs modulus of steel = 2 x 1011 N/m2

Brass
wire

Steel
wire

T2
B

As the whole system is in equilibrium, so

t = 0. Taking moment of all the forces acting on

T1 x T2 2 x 0

Pr oblem 1.25
A light r od of length 2 m is suspended fr om
the ceiling hor izontally by means of two ver tical
wir es of equal length tied to its ends. One of the
wir es is made of steel and is of crosssection 103
m2 and the other is of br ass of cr oss section 2 x
103m2. Find out the position along the r od at
which a weight may be hung to pr oduce; i) equal
str ess in both wir es

C
(2 x)

Sol : Suppose a1 and a2 are the cross - sectional

areas, and Y1 and Y2 are the Youngs moduli of steel
and brass wire respectively. Let T 1 and T 2 are
tensions in the steel and brass wires respectively.
Let x is distance of the position of the hanging
weight from the steel wire.
i) First case : For equal stress in both wires, we
have
T1 T2

a1 a2
T
T2
(or) 13
10
2103

......... (ii)

Solving equations (i) and (ii), we get

4
x m
3
ii) Second case : For equal strains in both the wires
e1 = e2
T1
T
2
a1Y1 a 2 Y2
T1
T2

11
3
10 210
210 1011
(or) T1 = T2
........... (iii)

(or)

From equations (ii) and (iii) , we get

x=1m
Pr oblem 1.26
A steel wire of area of cross-section A and
length 2Lis clamped fir mly between two points
seper ated by a distance ' 2L' . A body is hung from
the middle point of the wir e such that the middle
point sags by a distance x. Calculate the mass of
the body and the angle made by the str ing with
the horizontal

AKASH MULTIMEDIA

......... (i)

the rod about C, we have

T
Ay

T1

(or) T2 2T1

x
T

T
Mg

Since ' ' is small

sin tan

x
L

F L
.
A e

YAe YA 2

2 1/ 2

L x L

L
L

17

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

So tension in the wire (due to elasticity)

1pa 1N / m 2

YA

YA
x 2
x2

F
L
1

L
L

L 2 L
L
2L

YAx 2
2 L2
for small angles sin

2F mg
2.

2 YAx2 x
. mg ,
2L2 L

x Mg

L YA

Mg
Tan
YA

1/ 3

So at lowest point

, Tan

So 8pv 2 / 5.12 1.99.4p 8p 9.8

x
L

Mg
Tan1

YA

1/ 3

Pr oblem 1.27
A spher e of r adius 0.1 m and mass 8p kg is
attached to the lower end of a steel wir e of length
5.0 m and diamet er 103m. The wire is suspended
fr om 5.22 m high ceiling of a r oom. When the
spher e is made to swing as a simple pendulum, it
j ust gr azes the floor at its lowest point. Calculate
the velocity of the spher e at the lowest position.
Y for steel = 1.994 x 1011 N/m2.

5.22m

0.2m

mv2
CFF
r

mg

Sol : As the length of the wire is 5m and diameter

2 x 0.1 = 0.2 m and at lowest point it grazes the floor
which is at a distance 5.22 m from the roof, the
increase in length of the wire at lowest point
L 5.22 5 0.2
= 0.02 m
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

[as q 0 ]

But here r = 5 + 0.02 + 0.1 = 5.12 m

YAX 3
M 3
Lg
1/ 3

and as equation of circular motion of a mass m tied

to a string in a vertical plane is

mv 2 / r T mg

YAx 2
mg
2 L2

x 3 Mg

L3
YA

mv 2 / r T mg cos q

2T sin mg
2T mg

1.9941011 p 5104 0.02

YA
T
L
199.4p N
L
5

i.e., v 2 1215.12 / 8 77.44 , so v = 8.8 m/s.

1.12 Elongation of wir e due to its own weigt:
Consider a wire of length ' ' and cross sectional area A. If density of its material is d then
weight of the wire W A dg

dx

x
Let the wire is hanging from the rigid support.
The wire extends due to self weight
Let us consider an element of thickness dx at
a distance x from the free end.
The weight of the wire of length x is w1 = (Ax)dg
The extension of the element due to this weight is

w1 dx xAdg dx dg
de

x dx
AY
AY
Y

dg
The total extension e de Y x dx
0
0

dg
W
dg2
x
dx
= Y
, e
also e
2 AY
2Y
0
18

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

* Note 1.8 : The above formula can also derived by

considering total weight at center of mass and using
effective length / 2 .

F / 2
Ae

cm

/2
wt

F mg

2 AY
2 AY

A dg

2 AY

e dg
,
2Y

Note 1.9 : In the above case, if a force F is applied

at the lower end in addition to its weight then the
total elongation is

2dg F
e

2Y
AY

1.13 Ther mal Str ess:

a) Find the for ce with which the r ods acts on

each other at heigher temper atur e.
b) Find the lengths of the r ods at the higher
temperature.
Assume that there is no change in the crosssectional ar ea of the r ods and the r ods do not
bend. Ther e is no defor mation of walls.
1

a Y
aY
2

2 2

1 1

Sol : a) Due to heating the increases in length of the

composite rod will be

I 1a1t 2a2 t 1a1 2a2 t ... (1)

due to compressive force F from the walls,
due to elasticity, the decrease in length will be
F
F
F

D 1 2 1 2 .... (2)
AY1 AY2
A Y1 Y2
As the length of the composite rod remains
unchanged the increase in length due to heating must
be equal to decrease in length due to compression.

When a rod whose ends are rigidly fixed such that it

is prevented from expansion or contraction
undergoes a change in temperature, due to thermal
expansion or contraction a compressive or tensile
stress is developed init. Due to this thermal stress the
rod will exert a large force on the supports. If the
change in temperature of a rod of length ' ' is q o C .
Then

aq as a

Thermal strain =

Thermal stress = Y (thermal strain)

Thermal stress =

Y aq

Force F YAaq
Pr oblem 1.28
Two rodsof different metals, having the same
area of cross - section A, are placed end to end
between two massive walls as shown in fig. If the
temper atur e of both the r ods ar e now r aised by
t 0 C then
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

F

1a1 2a2 t 1 2
A Y1

b)

Y2

A 1a1 2 a2 t
1 2

Y1 Y2

As initially the length of one rod in L1 and due

to heating its length increases by 1 H a11t ,

while due to compression its length decreases by

1 C

F 1
AY1

so its final length

11 1 1 H 1 C
F 1
= 1 1a1t AY
1

19

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

1.14 Analogy of rod as a spr ing :

for the other rod

2 2 H 2 C
1
2

12 2 2a2t

We know Y

F2
AY2

Note 1.10: In the above problem length of composite

rod remains unchanged, i.e. 11 12 1 2 . but
that of individual rods changes i.e. 11 1 and
12 2 .
Note 1.11 : In the above problem if the displacement
of junction point was asked,
This displacement is equal to change in length
of any one of the rod
F 1
1 1a1t
AY1 where
F 1a1 2a2 t

1 2
A

Y Y
1
2

a1Y1 a2Y2

If 1 2 then
Y Y t
1
2
* Pr oblem 1.29
A st eel wir e, 2mm in diameter, is j ust
st r et ched bet ween t wo f i xed poi nt s at a
temperatur e of 300C. Deter mineits tension when
the temper atur e falls to 200C. (Coefficient of
linear expansion of steel = 0.000011/0C; Young's
modulus for steel = 2.0 x 1011 Nm2)
F
Sol: Thermal stress = Yt
A
Tension in the wire YA t 2 t1 .
Here,
Y =2.0x1011 Nm2 ;

11106 / 0 C;
t2 = 300C; t1 = 200C; radius=1mm=1x103m;
A r 110 10 m
The tension in the wire
2

3 2

= 69.14N
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

AY
(or) F

AY
constant, depends on type of material

and geomentry of rod.

F k (or) (F = kx)
AY
Where k
is t he equivalent spring

constant.

Pr oblem 1.30
A mass mis attached with r od as shown in
figur e. This mass is slightly stretched and released
then find the time per iod. (Y isYoungs modulus
of rod, A is cross sectional area of rod, ' ' is its
length).

A
Y

T 2p

AY

m
m
T 2p
k
AY

1.15 Bulk modulus (K ) :

I t is defined as the r atio of the volume str ess
(nor mal str ess) to the volume str ain within the
elastic limit
volume stress
K
volume strain
F

2.0 1011 11106 106 30 20

stress
F
Y
strain
A

F
F

V V

F
F

20

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

when a solid (or) fluid is subjected to a change

in pressure, its volume changes but the shape remains
unchanged. The force per unit area, applied normally
and uniformaly to the surface of the body i.e pressure gives the stress and the change in volume per
unit volume gives the volume strain.
Thus if the volume 'V' of the body decreases
by an amount V when the pressure on its surface
is increased uniformaly by p , then in equilibrium.
volume stress = p
volume strain

Bulk modulus

P
V

The bulk modulus of a gas in adiabatic condition

is defined as adiabatic Bulk modulus of elasticity.
For adiabatic process PV = constant
differentiating both sides
P gV g 1dV V g dp 0

P gV g1dV V g dp

P gV gV 1dV V g dp

V
V

1.17 Adiabatic Bulk modulus of elasticity Ef :

1
dV dp
V
dp
dp
g p
gp
dV
dV E g p


f
V
V
gp

K V

P
V

The negative sign shows that with increase in

pressure, the volume decreses.
Note 1.12 : All the states of matter possess bulk
modulus
K solids K liquids K gases

Hence, adiabatic Bulk modulus of elasticity is

equal to g times pressure
Note 1.14 : Ratio of adiabatic to isothermal Bulk
modulus of elasticity

Note 1.13 : Gases have two bulk modulli, they are

Ef

1.16 I sother mal Bulk modulus of elasticity Eq :

Eq

The bulk modulus of a gas in isothermal condition is defined as isother mal Bulk modulus of
eleasticity. We know for isother mal process
PV = constant
Differentiating both sides
pdV + Vdp = 0
PdV = V dp

dp
dV

V
dp
Eq P
dV

Hence isot hermal elasticity is equal to

pressure.
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

gP
g
P

g > 1 E f Eq

adiabatic bulk modulus of elasticity is g times

to the isothermal bulk modulus of elasticity.
1.18 Compr essibility :
The reciprocal of bulk modulus iscalled compressibility. i.e
1
Compressibility = Bulk mod ulus
1 V

V P
O.F = M1LT2
S.I unit of compressibility is N1 m2
Note 1.15 : A rigid body and an ideal liquid are incompressible i.e., compressibility is zero implies bulk
modulus is infinite
* 1.19 Density of compr essed liquid :
If a liquid of density ' r ', volume V and bulk
modulus 'K' is compressed, then its density increases
m
density r
V
21

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

1 r
V

-------- (1)
V
r
V
But by definition of bulk modulus
r

V P
V P

----------------(2)
V
V
K
r

from (1) and (2) r K

r1 r P
P

r1 r
r
r
K
K
P

r1 r 1

K
1
Also r r 1 CP where C is the com-

pressibility.

Sol : V 103 m3 ; V 106 m3 ; P 10 atm

= 1010 5 1106 Nm2
P
V
K =
V

1106
103 110 9 Nm2
V=
6
10
* Pr oblem 1.32
Deter mine the pr essur e r equir ed to r educe
the given volume of water by 1 % . Bulk modulus of water is 2 10 9 N m-2
V
1

, K= 2 10 9 N m-2 P = ?
V
100

P
V
K
V P K
V ,
V
9
= 210

4
V
R
V p R3 ,
3
3
V
R
Now by definition of bulk modulus
B V

* Pr oblem 1.31
A volume of 103 m 3 is subj ected to a
pressure of 10 atmospher e. The changein volume
is 10-6 m3. Find the bulk modulus of water.
(Atmospheric pressure= 1105 N m2 )

Sol :

Pr oblem 1.33
A solid sphere of r adius 'R' made of a mater ial of bulk modulus B is sur r ounded by a liquid
in a cylindr ical container. A massless piston of
ar ea 'A' floats on the sur face of the liquid. Find
the fr actional change in the r adius of the spher e
dR
, when a mass M is placed on the piston to
R
compr ess the liquid.
Sol : As for a spherical body

1
2 107 N m -2
100

AKASH MULTIMEDIA

P
V
P
Mg
i.e

V
V
B
AB

Mg
as P

dR 1 V
dR
Mg

R
3 V
R
3 AB

Pr oblem 1.34
A uniform pressure 'P' is exer ted on all sides
of a solid cube at temper atur e t 0C . By what
amount should the temper atur e of the cube be
r aised in or der to br ing its volume back to the
volume it had befor e the pr essur e was applied,
if the bulk modulus and coefficient of volume
expansion of the mater ial ar e B and g r espectively.
Sol : As by definition of bulk modulus
P
B V
V , with increase in pressure
decrease in volume of the cube will be given
by V

VP
, (as P P )
B

Now with rise in temperature due to thermal

expansion, volume increases so if ' q ' is the rise in

temperature then V V gq as g
V q
As the volume of the cube remains constant

VP
P
V gq q
B
gB
22

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

Pr oblem 1.35
When a r ubber ball of volumeV, bulk modulus 'K ' is taken to a depth 'h' in water, then decr ease in its volume is
P
m
K
Pa
V

v
V

phrg

PV

h
m

hr g V
K

v1

Pa p

hr g V
So decrease in volume of ball
K
1.20 M odulus of r igidity h (or ) shear modulus
Within elastic limit, the r atio of shear ing
str ess to the shear ing str ain is called modulus of
r igidity of the mater ial of the body.
shearing stress
h
shearing strain
A

cube to be slightly displaced or sheared relative to

one another, each line such as AB or CD in the cube
is rotated through an angle ' q ' by this shear..
The shearing strain is the angle q in radians
through which a line normal to a fixed surface has
turned. For small values of angle

AA1 x

AB
L
shear stress F / A
F
h

shear strain
q
Aq
shearing strain q

* In this case shape of a body changes but its volume remains unchanged.
* Only solids can exhibit a shearing as these have
definite shape.
* Pr oblem 1.36
A 5.0 cm cube of substance hasits upper face
displaced by 0.65 cm, by a tangential force of 0.25
N. Calculate the modulus of r igidity of t he
substance.
FL
FL
F
Sol : h =
, A = L2, h 2
A
L L
Here, L 5.0 102 m
0.65102 m ; F=0.25 N.

0.25
0.2510 4
=
5.0102 0.65102
3.25
2
= 769.2 N m

fixed

A1

x
L q

C1

q
Fixed

consider a cube of material fixed at its lower

face and acted upon by a tangential force 'F' at its
upper surface having area A as shown in the figure.
F// el F

A
A
As shown in above figure, the shearing force
'F' causes the consecutive horizontal layers of the
Shearing stress

AKASH MULTIMEDIA

* Pr oblem 1.37
A tangential for ce of 2100 N is applied on a
sur face of ar ea 3106 m 2 which is 0.1 m fr om
a fixed face. The for ce pr oduces a shift of 7mm
of upper sur f ace wi t h r espect t o bot t om.
Calculate the modulus of rigidity of the material.
Sol:
F = 2100 N ; A = 3106 m2 ;
L =0.1m; 7103 m.
h

FL
2100 0.1

=1x1010 Nm2
A 3106 7103
23

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

* Pr oblem 1.38
A steel plate of face ar ea 2 cm2 and the
thickness 1.0cm is fixed r igidly at the lower face.
A tangential force of 10 N is applied on the upper
sur face . Find the later al displacement of the
upper sur face with r espect to the lower sur face.
Rigidity modulus of steel = 8.41010 Nm -2
Sol : A 2cm2 2 104 m2 ;
L=1.0 cm= 1102 m;
F=10 N. h 8.41010 N m-2 ; ?
FL
h
A
The lateral displacement of the upper face with
respect to the lower face is

FL
Ah

101102
2104 8.41010
1
107 m = 5.952109 m.
=
16.8
Pr oblem 1.39
Calculate the for ce F needed to punch a
1.46 cm diameter hole in a steel plate1.27 cm thick
(as shown in fig). The ultimate shear str ength of
steel is 345 M N/m2
=

Type of
stress

Stress

Sol : As in punching, shear elasticity is involved, the

hole will be punched it
F11
ultimate shear stress
A

F11 > (shear stress) X Area

F11 min = (3.45 X 108) 2prL A 2prL

8
2
2
= 3.4510 23.140.7310 1.2710 200KN

1.21 Some impor tant points on modulus of

elasticity
1) Young's modulus (Y) and rigidity modulus
( h ) exist only for solids but not for liquids. This is
because liquids and gases cannot be deformed along
one dimension only and also cannot sustain ( shear
strain). Bulk modulus (K) exists for all states of mater
(solids, liquids and gases)
2) Gases being most compressible are least elastic while solids are most elastic.
Esolid Eliquid E gas

Strain

Elongation or
Two equal and
compression
opposite forces
Tensile
parallel to force
perpendicular
or
direction
to opposite
compressive
faces
L / L
(longitudinal strain)
s F / A
Two equal and
opposite forces
parallel to opposite
surfaces [forces
Shearing in each case such
Pure shear, q
that total force and
total torque on the
body vanishes]
Bulk

Forces perpendicular
everywhere to the Volume change
surface, force per (compression or
elongation)
unit area (pressure)
same everywhere
V / V

AKASH MULTIMEDIA

Change in
Elastic Name of State of
shape volume modulus modulus Matter

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

F L
AL

Young's
modulus

Solid

F q

Shear
modulus

Solid

p
B
V / V

Solid,
Bulk
liquid
modulus and gas

24

PHYSICS - I C

3) For a perfectly rigid body as L, V or

f 0 , So Y, K or h will be ' a ' i.e elasticity of a
rigid body is infinite.
4) Greater the value of modulli of elasticity, more
elastic is the material.
1
1
1
, Ka
But as Y a
and h a
for a
f
L
V
constant stress, smaller change of shape or size for a
given stress corresponds to greater elasticity.
ex :(1) For same load, more elongation is produced
in rubber wire than in steel wire of same cross-section hence steel is more elastic than r ubber.
ex : (2) Water is more elastic than air as volume
change in water is less for same applied pressure
5) The value of moduli of elasticity is independent of the magnitude of the stress and strain. It depends on the nature of the material of the body.
6) For a given material there can be different
moduli of elasticity depending on the type of stress
applied and the strain produced.
7) In a suspension br idge as there is a stretch
in the ropes by the load of the bridge, the elasticity
involved is linear or tensile.
8) In an automobile tyr e as air is compressed
the elasticity involved is volume, i.e., bulk.
9) In transmitting power an automobile shaft
is sheared as it rotates, so the elasticity involved is
shear, i.e., rigidity.
10) When a coiled spr ing is stretched, the deformation of the wire of the spring is in the form of a
twisting strain so the elasticity involved is shear, i.e.,
rigidity.
11) In a water lift pump as the water is compressed, the elasticity involved is volume, i.e., bulk
12) The shape of r ubber heels changes under
stress, the elasticity involved is shear, or rigidity.
1.22 Poisson's r atio :
When a wire is stretched by a force along its
length, then its length increases and the radius (or)
diameter decreases as shown in the figure.

AKASH MULTIMEDIA

ELASTICITY

The r atio of change in r adius (or ) diameter

to the or iginal r adius (or ) diameter is called later al strain
L

r
(D)

r r
D D

D
Lateral strain
D (or)

r

r

The ratio of change in length to the original

length is called longitudinal strain

Longitudinal strain

Lateral strain is directly proportional to the longitudinal strain
lateral strain a (longitudinal strain)
Lateral strain = s (longitudinal strain)
Where ' s ' is poisson's ratio. It depends on the
nature of the material.
Poisson's ratio ( s ) is defined as the ratio of lateral
strain to longitudinal strain.
Lateral strain
poisson ' s ratio s
Longitudinal strain
D

D
s



negative sign indicates that the radius or diameter of the wire decreases when it is stretched.
Poissons's ratio has no units and dimensions as
it is ratio of two strains.
The theroetical limits of poisson's ratio are from
1 to + 0.5. But its practical limits are from 0 to 0.5
and generally between 0.2 and 0.4.
1.23 Relation among volume strain, Lateral strain
and poisson's r atio :
Consider a wire of length ' ' and radius 'r', then
its volume V p r 2 (1)
V
r
2

V
r

25

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

r

r
s

But we know



r

s

r
V

2s

12s
V

V
0,
Note 1.16 : If a material has s 0.5 then
V
V 0 , there in no change in the volume of
the body and the material is said to be incompressible.

The fractional increase in volume,

V
0.01(12x0.30)=0.01x0.40=0.004.
V
1.24 BEHAVI OUR OF A M ETAL WI RE
UNDER I NCREASI NG L OAD
Consider a metal wire having its upper end fixed
to a rigid support and loaded at the lower end by
attaching a weight hanger. Let the load be increased
gradually. To study the behaviour of the metal wire
under increasing load, a graph is plotted between
the stress on the Y axis and the strain on the X
axis. In general, the curve shown in figure is obtained
for ductile materials that can be drawn into wires.

* Pr oblem 1.40
A 3 cm long copper wir e is str etched to incr ease its length by 0.3 cm. find the later al strain
in the wire, if the Poissons r atio for copper is
0.26.
Sol : L = 3cm ; L 0.3cm; s 0.26.
Longitudinal strain

L 0.3

0.1
L
3

LateralStrain
LongitudinalStrain

The Lateral Strain = s LongitudinalStrain

= 0.260.1
= 0.026.
* Pr oblem 1.41
Find the fr actional incr ease in volume of a
wir e of cir cular cr oss section if its longitudinal
str ain is 1% . s 0.30
Sol: we know that
dV dL

1 2s
V
L

Here,

dL
1
1%
0.01; s 0.30.
L
100

AKASH MULTIMEDIA

1. From O to P the graph is a straight line showing that stress is proportional to strain i.e., the wire
obeys Hooke's law upto the point P. So, P is called
the proportionality limit of the wire.
2. From P to E as the graph is slightly curved, the
stress is not proportional to strain. If the load is
removed at any point between O and E it will regain
its natural length. The point E is called the elastic
limit. In case of some materials, the wire may obey
Hooke's law upto E coinciding E with P i.e., P will
be the elastic limit for such materials.
3. On increasing the load beyond elastic limit, the
graph is more curved upto the point Y called yield
point. From E to Y, the wire does not obey Hooke's
law indicating that for a small increase in load there
is greater increase in length. If the load applied on
the wire is removed between E and Y, the wire does
not regain its natural length completely. It will have
a permanent increase in length. This behaviour of
26

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

the wire is shown by the dashed line which is a

straight line that cuts the xaxis not at O but at O1.
OO1 is the permanent set.

|
Strain OO

|
Permanent increase in length OO
4. When the wire crosses the point Y strain
increases rapidly without any increase in the load.
So, yield point is defined as the point beyond which
strain increases rapidly without any increase in load.
Beyond the point Y as the wire becomes thin and
the stress for the same load becomes larger and larger
increasing the strain further and further. If the load
is not removed the strain increases continuously till
the wire reaches a point T. The stress corresponding
to T is called the tensile strength of the given material.
The tensile strength is ratio of maximum load to
which the wire may be subjected by slowly
increasing the load to the original area of crosssection of the wire.
5. Beyond the point T, the thinning of the wire is
no longer uniform and the wire shows necks.
Immediately, as this occurs, the stress decreases
automatically and the part TB is obtained. At B the
wire ultimately breaks. B is called breaking point.
6. If large deformation occurs between the elastic
limit and the breaking point, the material is ductile.
Ex : copper, silver, gold etc.,
7. If the deformation between the elastic limit and
the breaking point is very small or if the wire breaks
immediately after crossing the elastic limit, the
material is brittle. Ex : glass, ceramic etc.
1.25 BREAK I NG STRESS :
i) The breaking stress of a wire is the maximum
stress at which the wire breaks.
ii)

Breaking stress =

BreakingForce
initialareaofcrosssection

iii) Breaking force = Breaking stress x area of cross

section.
iv) Breaking stress a) depends only on the nature
of material of the wire b) is independent of the length
and area of cross-section of the wire.
v) Breaking force a) is independent of length of
the wire b) depends on the area of cross-section and
nature of material of the wire.
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

vi) Breaking force is proportional to area of crosssection.

vii) If we cut a cable that can support a maximum load of
W into two equal parts, then each part can support a
maximum load of W.
viii) A very long wire suspended vertically may
break due to its own weight
The maximum length of a wire that can hung
without breaking under its own weight is
mg Ag

g
breaking stress =
A
A

Breaking Stress
rg

Note 1.17 : A metal rope of density b has breaking

stress (B:S). This rope is used to measure the depth
of the sea. Then the depth of the sea that can be
measured without breaking is
r
r
mg1 Arb g1
rb
rb
B. S. =

grb r
A
A

B.stress
grb r

(Whoe PL is the density of sea water)

* Pr oblem 1.42
Find the greatest length of the wir e made of
mater ial of br eaking str ess 8x108Nm 2 and
density 8x103kgm3 that can be suspended from
a rigid support without breaking. (g = 10 ms2)
Sol:
Greatest length of the wire without breaking.

Braking Stress
rg

Here, breaking stress = 8 x 108 Nm2;

r = 8 x 103 kg m3; g = 10 ms2.

8108
1104 m 10km
3
810 10
27

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

* Pr oblem 1.43
A block of mass 1 kg is fastended to one end
of a copper wir e of cr oss- sectional ar ea 1 mm2
and is r otated in a ver tical cir cle of r adius 20 cm.
I f the br eaking str ess of copper is 5 x 108 Nm2,
find the maximum number of r evolutions the
block make in the minute without the str ing
breaking.
Sol : Maximum tension on the string = Breaking
stress x Area of cross - section
= 5x108 x1x10 6= 500 N.
When a body revolves in a horizontal circle,
Tension on the string = Centripetal force
500 = mr w 2
Where m = 1 kg, r = 0.20m, w = ?
500 = 1 x 0.2 x w 2
500
w2
2500
0.2
Maximum angular speed, w 50 rad s1 .
t= 60 s,n= ?
2p n
2p n
w
50
,
t
60
The maximum number of revolut ions ,
n

50 60 1500

477.4rpm.
2p
p

1.26 Elastic Fatigue : When a body is subjected to

a repeated stress, even within the elastic limit, it
becomes weak since it loses its elastic property to
some extent temporarily. If greater stress is applied
on the body without knowing present state, cracks
develop within the body and it breaks. This occurs
even for a stress lesser than that of breaking stress.
Ex : When a metal wire is bent once, it may not
break. But, it breaks when it is bent repeatedly at the
same point. This weakness or the state of temporary
loss of elastic nature of the body when subjected to
repeated stress is called elastic fatigue.
If the material is given some rest, i.e., kept in
unstrained state for some time, it regains its original
elastic nature.
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

1.27 EL ASTI C AFTER EFFECT:

When stress is removed the strain does not
reduce to zero at once. It takes some time for the
strain to become zero after the removal of stress, the
delay in recovering back to the original condition on
removal of deforming force is called elastic aftereffect. This effect is very much dominant in glass
while it is totally absent in quartz, phosphor bronze,
silver and gold.
1.28 Str ain energy : When a wire has natural length,
the potential energy corresponding to the atomic and
molecular forces is minimum. When the wire is
deformed, internal forces called restoring forces are
set up and work is to be done against these forces to
produce the deformation. This work done is stored
in the wire as potential energy which is called strain
energy.
Str ain Ener gy is the ener gy stor ed in a body due
to its defor mation :
1.29 Expr ession for str ain ener gy or wor k done
in str etching a wir e : Consider a metal wire of
length L and crosssectional area A fixed at one end
and is stretched by an external force applied at the
other end. The force is so adjusted that the wire is
only slowly stretched. This ensures that at any time
during the extension the external force is equal to
the tension in the wire. When the extension is e, the
wire is under a longitudinal stress F/A, where F is
the tension at that instant of time. The strain is x/L.
Let the force acting on a wire suspended from a
rigid support be F. The work done in increasing its
length by de is
dW = Fde
The total work done in increasing the length of
wire by e is obtained by integrating the above
expression between the limits 0 and e.
e

W dW Fde
e

=
0

YAe
de
L

Y FL

Ae

YA e 2 YAe e 1

Fe
L 2
L 2 2
28

PHYSICS - I C

This is stored as strain energy in the wire.

1
Strain energy in the wire = Fe
2
Strain energy per unit volume of the wire

1 Fe
1 F e
.
2 AL 2 A

1
Stress Strain
2
2

1 Stress
strain Stress
=

Y
2
Y
1
2
= strain Y
2
When the external force is withdrawn, the stress
disappears and the strain energy appears as heat. The
above relation holds good for longitudinal, volume
and shearing strains.
Note 1.18:
i) Work done in stretching a wire,

w=

1
2

ii) w = 12

x stretching force x extension.

1 F 2 1 F2
1 YAe 2

Fe =
=
2 AY
2 pr 2 y
2 l

iii) w = 12 x stress x strain x volume of the wire

iv) Area under F-e graph gives the work done
or the strain energy sto red in t he wire.
Area =

1
2

F.e = W

* Pr oblem 1.44
I f Youngs modulus of the mater ial of a wire
is 1.2 1011 N m2, calculate the wor k done in
str etching the wir e of length 3 m and cr oss- sectional ar ea 4 mm2 when it is suspended ver tically
and a load of 8 kg is attached to its lower end.
Sol : Y = 1.21011 Nm -2 : L =3 m; A = 4mm2
= 4106 m2 ; M= 8 kg.
1
work done = stretching force increase in
2
length.
FL
But increase in length, e
AY
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

ELASTICITY

1 F 2 L 1 Mg L
The work done =

2 AY 2
AY
2

8 9.8 3
1

2 4106 1.21011
= 0.0192 J
2

Pr oblem 1.45
A metal wire of length and cross-sectional
area A has mass m. I t is stretched by an amount
eby a load of mass M . I f the wir e br eaks at the
point of suspension due to the load then find the
r ise in temper atur e of the wir e ?
1
1
Strain energy = F.e Mg e
2
2
As the wire breaks strain energy stored in the
wire appears in the form of heat.
1
Mg e mst [s = specific heat of wire]
2

Mg e
2 ms

Pr oblem 1.46
A stone of mass m is pr oj ected fr om a
r ubber catpult of length and cr oss-sectional
area A stretched by an amount e. I f Y be the
youngs modulus of r ubber then find the velocity
of pr oj ection of stone ?
Solution :
1
Strain energy = F.e
2

1 YAe
1 YAe2
e
=
2
2
As the stone is released, the strain energy in the
catpult appears in the form of kinetic energy of the
stone.
1 YAe 2 1 2

mv
2
2
2
YAe
YAe2
v2
, v
m
m
29

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

1.30 Exper imental deter mination of Youngs

modulus (Y) Sear les appar atus
Youngs modulus of the material of a wire can
be experimentally determined by Searles method.

Extension

Descr iption : Two wires of the same material,

length and area of cross section, suspended from a
rigid support carry at their lower ends, two
rectangular metal frames as shown in figure. One of
the wires is called experimental wire and the other
wire is called reference wire. The frame attached to
the reference wire carries a constant weight to keep
the wire stretched without any kinks. The frame
attached to the experimental wire carriers a hanger,
over which slotted weights can be slipped as required.
A spirit level is hinged with one end to the frame
attached to the reference wire and rests horizontally
on the tip of a micrometer screw which can be
worked in the frame attached to the experimental wire
along a vertical scale marked in millimeter.

relative to the other frame and the air bubble shifts to

one side. The micrometer screw is now adjusted to
take back the air bubble to the centre and the
micrometer screw reading is noted.
4) The experiment is repeated at least five times
every time increasing the load by half a kilogram
weight. Readings of the micrometer screw are noted
while increasing and decreasing the load and mean
reading is found.
5) The difference between the first and second
readings gives the increase in length or extension
produced in the experimental wire when the load is
increased by half a kilogram weight. The difference
between the first and third readings gives the
extension for a load of one kilogram weight.
1
Similarly, the extensions for 1 , 2, .... kg wt are
2
found.
6) A graph is plotted between the load and
extension. The graph is a straight line and gives the
elongation e for a load Mg.

Load

7) The radius, r, of the experimental wire is

found by using a screw gauge and measuring the
diameter at 6 or 7 places of the wire. The length, L,
of the experimental wire is measured with the help
of a meter scale.
8) Substituting the values of r, L and

Mg
in
e

the formula of Young modulus.

Wor king :
1) A suitable load is kept on the hanger so that
the experimental wire is straight without kinks.
2) The micrometer screw is adjusted so that the
air bubble in the spirit level comes in the centre. The
reading of the micrometer screw is noted.
3) Half a kilogram weight is then slipped into
the hanger. This elongates the experimental wire. The
frame attached to the experimental wire moves down
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

F L
Mg L
=
( F = Mg and A = pr 2 )
Ae
pr e

the Youngs modulus of the material is

calculated.
Sour ces of er r or and their minimisation : There
are two sources of error in the experiment.
i) The support may yield when the load is attached
at the lower end of the experimental wire and the
30

PHYSICS - I C

measured value of increase in length may not be

correct. ii) While the experiment is carried out,
temperature may change which causes some increase
in length. The measured value of increase in length
becomes incorrect.
Both the errors are minimized by using the
reference wire. The yield of support or the change
of temperature affects both the experimental and
reference wires. The relative increase of the
experimental wire with respect to the reference wire
will give correct increase in length.
L ong Answer Questions
1.

Shor t Answer Questions

2.
3.

Ver y Shor t Answer Questions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Define Hooke's law of elasticity. Descr ibe

Sear les method to deter mine the Young's
modulus of the mater ial of a wir e.

1.

ELASTICITY

8.
9.
10.

Def i ne H ook e' s l aw of el ast i ci t y,

pr opor tionality limit, per manent set and
Br eaking str ess.
Define modulus of elasticity, stress, strain the
Poission's ratio.

11.

Define defor mation and defor ming for ce.

M ention the differ ence between elastic and
plastic bodies.

14.

4.

Descr ibe the behaviour of a wir e under

gr adually incr easing load.

5.

DefineYoung's modulus, Bulk modulus and

Rigidity modulus.

6.

Define str ess and explain the types of str ess.

7.

Define str ain and explain the types of strain.

8.

Define strain energy and derive the equation

for the same.

9.

Steel exhibits mor e elastic natur e than

r ubber Explain.

10. I f a wire is bent continuously at a par ticular

point in opposite dir ections, it br eaks.
Explain.
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

12.
13.

15.

Define Hooke's law of elasticity.

State the units and dimensions of str ess.
State the units and dimensions of modulus
of elasticity.
State the units and dimensions of Young's
modulus.
State the units and dimensions of Rigidity
modulus.
State t he units and dimensions of Bulk
modulus.
State the examples of near ly per fectly elastic
and plastic bodies .
State the theor etical limits of Poisson's ratio.
State the pr actical limits of Poisson's r atio.
What is str ain ener gy? State its expr ession
in ter ms of the applied for ce and extension.
Expr ess str ain ener gy per unit volume in
terms of stress and strain, stress and Young's
modulus.
What is elastic fatigue?
What ar e the sour ces of er r or in Sear le's
exper iment?
How ar e the er r or s eliminated in Sear le's
exper iment?
State the examples of ductile and br ittle
materials.
Assess Your self

1.

Why is a spr ing made of steel but not of

copper ?
Ans. As Youngs modulus of steel is greater than
that of copper, the strain produced is small for a
given stress in case of steel than copper. Hence
steel is prefered
2. A cable is cut to half its or iginal length. Can
each par t suppor t the same maximum load
as the or iginal cable ?
Ans. Yes. Since the breaking stress is constant for a
given material and the breaking load = breaking
stress x area of cross section; the maximum load
remains the same as the area of cross section
does not change.
31

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

3.

When a spr ing is str etched, what type of

str ain is pr oduced ?

Ans. When a spring is stretched there is neither

change in the length of the wire forming the
coil nor change in its volume. The change takes
place in the shape of coil producing shear strain.
4.

Can a liquid offer r esistance to shear ing

str ess?

Ans. No. It cannot offer permanent resistance forces

to change its shape.
5.

Can a liquid offer r esistance to bulk str ess?

Ans. Yes. It can offer very great resistance forces

tending to decrease its volume.
6.

Can a gas offer resistance to shearing str ess?

Ans. No.
7. Can a gasoffer great resistanceto bulk stress?
Ans. No. It can offer small resistance forces tending
to decrease its volume.
8. What will be the modulus of elasticity of a
r igid body?
Ans. Infinity.
9. Can a shear str ain be expr essed in ter ms of
tensile str ain and compr essive str ain ?
Ans.Yes. If shear strain is equal to q , tensile and
q
compressive strains are each equal to .
2
10. I f a body is per fectly incompr essible what
will be its value of Poissons r atio ?
Ans. For a body to be perfectly incompressible,
V
V

0 .We know that

1 2s
V
V

. Hence 1 2s 0 s 0.5 .
11. Br idges ar e declar ed unsafe after long use.
Explain.
Ans.After long use, the bridge loses its elastic
strength. It develops large strains corresponding
to the same usual values of stress and the bridge
may collapse.
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

12. I s ther e any incr ease in temper ature when a

wir e br eaks ?
Ans.Yes. Since the strain energy is converted into
heat energy.
Additional topic's for AI EEE
** (i) Elastic hysteresis : As a result of elastic after
effect strain in a material lags behind the stress to
which it is subjected, this phenomenon of lagging
behind of strain with respect to stress is called elastic
hysteresis.
(ii) Hyster esis Cur ve : When a ductile material
is loaded and then unloaded, stress-strain graph of
the material is as shown in Figure. It is seen that at
the time of unloading strain is larger than that at the
time of loading for the same stress. This lagging is
known as hysteresis. The area enclosed by hysteresis
curve represents the hysteresis loss during the
process. This energy is lost as heat. The material is
selected depending upon the type of use. For
example when rubber is used as shock absorber then
we want that large quantity of energy of mechanical
vibrations which are impressed upon it is dissipated
as heat. In this case, rubber having the stress-strain
curve as shown in Fig . is choosen. For air craft
tyres where wear and tear matters, rubber whose
hysteresis curve has low area, is choosen (fig.)

Load

.
Extension

(iii) Bending of Beam :

Beam is the structural member which can carry
transverse load. A simply supported beam is
supported at its ends. A cantilever beam is fixed at
one end.

32

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

(iv) Deflection of beam : Deflection of beam at its

centre due to load placed as shown in Figure.

(vi) A hollow shaft is stronger than a solid shaft

made of same mater ial and of equal volume.

W 3
for simply supported beam and
48YI

Consider a solid bar or shaft of radius r, length l

and made of material of modulus of rigidity . It
can be proved that the torque required to produce

W 3
for cantilever beam where I is called
3YI
geometric moment of area.
d

i) For rectangular cross - section I

bd
12

pr 4
I

ii) For circular cross - section

4

unit twist in the bar is given by t

If the shaft is hollow with internal and external

radii r1 and r2 respectively, then torque required to
produce unit twist is given by

(v) Twisting of a shaft :

Let us consider a shaft of length and radius r,,
whose one end is rigidly clamped and torque t is
applied at the free end. Because of this the free end
is twisted by and angle q .

phr 4
.....(1)
2

ph r24 r14

............(2)

Length of the hollow shaft is the same from eqs

(1)and (2) we have
2
2
2
2
' r24 r14 r2 r1 r2 r1

........(3)

r4
r4

As the two shafts are made from equal material,

of same volume. Hence
pr 2 p r22 r12 or r 2 r22 r12 .....(4)

Substituting the value of r 2 in eq. (3) we get

From the diagram, arc s r q f

where q angle of twist and
f angle of shear

t ph r 4

q
2
where h modulus of rigidity..
Note 1.19:
One end of the rod is fixed. The other
free end is twisted through an angle ' q ' by applying
a torque ' t ' then the work done on the rod (or) energy
stored in the rod is

Torsional rigidity of shaft

1
W
2

where is in radians.
AKASH MULTIMEDIA

2
2
2
2
' r2 r1 r2 r1 r22 r12

r2
r22 r12 r 2

r22 r12 and r22 r12 r 2

'
Therefore, torque required to twist a hollow
cylinder is more than required to twist a solid cylinder.
So, a hollow shaft is more stronger than a solid shaft.
Due to this reason, electric poles are made hollow.
(vii) REL ATI ON BETWEEN Y, n, AND K :
(OPTI ONAL )
Consider a unit cube with sides parallel to the
axes OX,OY and OZ.Let the forces P,Q and R are
acting along X,Y and Z axes respectively. Since the
area of each face is unit, the force acting on each
face is equal to stress. Each force produces
33

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

elongation in its direction and contraction in the other

two directions.
We know that,

P
changein length Y 1 2 P

1 2
original length
1
Y

But, volume strain = 3 Longitudinal strain

Bulk modulus
K

Youngs modulus

Longitudinal stress
LongitudinalStrain

Longitudinal strain

Longitudinalstress
Young's modulus

Extension along X -axis = P/Y

Lateral strain = longitudinal strain.

Lateral strain
Poisson ' s ratio

Longitudinal strain

Y
P
Compression along Y and Z axis
Y
P
Elongation along each of Y and Z axes
Y
Similarly, the elongations in other directions are
tabulated as follows.
STRAIN PRODUCED ALONG
Stress
P along X-axis

X-axis
P
Y

Q along Y-axis

Q
Y

R along Z-axis

R
Y

Y-axis

Z-axis

P
s
Y
Q
Y

P
Y

Q
Y

R
Y

when P, Q and R P s
Q s
act simultaneously Y Y Q R Y Y P R

(i)

If P = Q = R, then
Elongation produced in each side
P s
P
2 P 1 2s
Y Y
Y

Longitudinal strain
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R
Y
R s
P Q
Y Y

3P
1 2
Y

Normal stress
volumestrain

P
Y

3P
3
1

2s

1 2 s
Y

Y 3 K 1 2 1
ii) Two forces, one elongative and the other
compressive force constitute shear,
i.e., If Q = P and R = 0, then shear will be produced
in the cube.
Now the linear strain
P
P
P 0 1
Y Y
Y
Shearing strain 2 linear strain

2P
1
Y
Tangential stress
Rigidity modulus
Shearing strain
P
n
2P
1
Y
Y
1 2
2n
Fom equation (1)
Y
1 2 3
3K
and from equation 2
Y
2 2 4
n
On adding equations 3 and 4

Y Y
3 1 1
3
3K n
Y n 3K
1
1
1

5
Y
3n
9K
9 nK
Y
6
3K n

34

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY

(viii) L imiting values of Poissons r atio :

Y
1 2
From equation (3)
3K
Y and K are positive, 1 2 must be positive
1
or 2 1 or
2
Y
1
From equation (2)
2n
Y and n are positive, 1 must be positive
1 0
1
or 1 so 1 . But can never be
2
negative.
1
1
or 0
Poissons ratio lies between 0 and
2
2
Note : From (1) and (2)
3K 1 2 2 n 1

3K 6Ks 2n 2ns
3K 2n 6 K s 2ns

BC

and CD

70103 1
1210

11

50103 2
121011

= 4.5 x 107 + 3.5 x 107 + 5.0 x 107

= 13 x 107 m
Pr oblem 1.48
A uniform elastic plank moves over a smooth
hor izontal plane due to a constant for ce F 0
distr ibuted unifor mly over the end face. The
sur face area of the end face is equal to A and
Youngs modulus of the mater ial is Y. Find the
compr essive str ain of the plank in the dir ection
of acting for ce.
F0

3K 2n
7 .
2 3 K n
Pr oblem 1.47
A steel r od of cr oss-sectional ar ea 1m2 is
acted upon by forces shown in the fig. Deter mine
the total elongation of the bar.
Take Y = 2.0 x 1011 N/m2.
60 kN

10 kN

1m

50 kN

2m

Sol: The action of forces on each part of rod is shown in fig.

10 kN

20 kN

50 kN

60 kN
60 kN

50 kN

50 kN

60 kN
60 kN

50 kN

70 kN
70 kN

We know that the extension due to external force F

is given by
F
AB
AY
60103 1.5
AB
4.5107 m
11
1210
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F
Fx
x 0 0
M
L

Fx

Fx
dx

Elongation of the element

F0 x
dx
F dx
d x
L
AY
AY
Total elongation
L

60 kN
50 kN

Sol : The force at any section is due to the inertia

behind the section. The stress therefore increases from
zero to maximum at the end where force is applied.
Consider a small element of length dx at a
distance x from the free end. The force
Fx = ma
=

D
20 kN

1.5m

m
dx

5.0107 m

The total extension AB BC CD

3K 2 n 2 3K n

3.5107 m

F0
x dx F0 L2 (or) F0 L
ALY
2 AY
2 ALY

Pr oblem 1.49
A slightly conical wir e of length and r adius
r 1 and r 2 is str etched by two for ces applied
par allel to length in opposite dir ections and
nor mal to end faces. I f Y denotes the Youngs
modulus, then find the elongation of the wir e.
35

PHYSICS - I C

ELASTICITY
L

Sol :
F

r2

r1

x
dx

dx

Consider an element of length dx at distance x

as shown in fig. The radius of the sect ion
r r
rx r1 2 1 x

The extension of the element

F dx
Fdx
2
d
p rx Y
AxY
Total extension

Fdx

r r
p r1 2 1 x Y

Pr oblem 1.51
The tension in the r od will not be constant
but will var y from point to point. At the free end,
i.e., r = L, it will be min = 0 while at the other end
r = 0, it wil be max = 2p106 N .
(b) Now if dy is the elongation in the element of
length dr at position r where tension is T, by definition
of Youngs moulus,
dy
T
stress
as strain

dr AY
Y
Which in the light of Eqn. (1) gives

F
p r1r2Y

Pr oblem 1.50
A thin unifor m metallic r od of length 0.5 m
and r adius 0.1 m r otates with an angular velocity
400 r ad/s in a hor izontal plane about a ver tical
axis passing thr ough one of its ends. Calculate
tension in the r od and the elongation of the r od.
The density of mater ial of the r od is 104 kg/m3
and theYoungs modulus is
2 x 1011 N/m|2.
w
Sol :(a) Consider an element
of length dr at a distance r
r dr
from the axis of rotation as
L
shown in fig. The centripetal
force acting on this element
will be
dT dmrw 2 r Adr rw 2
As this force is provided by tension in the rod
(due to elasticity), so the tension in the rod at a
distance r from the axis of roataion will be due to the
centripetal force due to all elemetns between x = r to
x = L.
centripetal force due to all elemetns between x = r to
x = L.
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1
2
2
2
2
i.e., T r Aw rdr 2 r Aw L r .......(1)
r
2

1
2 1
4
2
r 2
T

10

10

400

So here
2

8p 106 r 2 N
4

1 rw 2 2
L r 2 dr
2 Y
so the elongation of the whole rod
dy

rw 2
L
2Y

1 rw 2 L3
Y

2
2
L r dr 3
0

4
1 10 400 0.53 1
103 m
Here L
11
3
2 10
3
2

SYNOPSIS
1.

Ri gi d body : A body whose shape and size

cannot be changed, however large the applied
force may be, is called rigid body.
There is no perfectly rigid body in nature.

2.

Defor mation force : A force which changes the

size or shape or both of a body without moving it
as a whole is called deformation force.

3.

Restor ing for ce : The force which restores the

size and shape of the body when deformation
forces are removed is called restoring force.
Deformation force and restoring force are not
action reaction pair.
36