Elastic deformation
When a A push or a pull. The unit of force is the newton (N). acts on an object, the object may change shape by bending, stretching or compressing 鈥 or a combination of all three shape changes. However, there must be more than one force acting to change the shape of a stationary object in the following ways:
- pull an object's ends apart, eg when a rubber band is stretched
- push an object's ends together, eg when an empty drinks can is squashed
- bend an object's ends past each other, eg a weight on a bridge
A change in shape is called Changing shape and/or size as a result of forces being applied.:
- Elastic materials return to their original shape and size after being stretched or squashed. deformation is reversed when the force is removed
- Inelastic materials do not return to their original shape and size after being stretched or squashed. deformation is not fully reversed when the force is removed 鈥 there is a permanent change in shape
A rubber band undergoes elastic deformation when stretched a little. A metal drinks can undergoes inelastic deformation when it is squashed.
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Hooke's law
Extension and compression
Increase in length, for example, as a result of being pulled. happens when an object increases in length, and A聽shortening in length, for example, as a result of being squeezed. happens when it decreases in length. The extension of an elastic object, such as a spring, is described by Hooke's law:
force = spring constant 脳 extension
\(\text{F} = \text{ke}\)
This is when:
- force (\(\text{F}\)) is measured in newtons (N)
- spring constant (\(\text{k}\)) is measured in newtons per metre (N/m)
- extension, or increase in length (\(\text{e}\)) is measured in metres (m)
Example
A force of 3 N is applied to a spring. The spring stretches reversibly by 0.15 m 鈥 the fact that the string stretches reversibly means that it will go back to its normal shape after the force has been removed. Calculate the spring constant.
First rearrange \(\text{F} = \text{ke}\) to find \(\text{k}\):
\(\text{k} = \frac{\text{F}}{\text{e}}\)
Then calculate using the values in the question:
\(\text{k}\) = 3 梅 0.15
\(\text{k}\) = 20 N/m
Limit of proportionality
Spring constant is a measure of the stiffness of a spring up to its The point beyond which Hooke's law is no longer true when stretching a material. or elastic limit. The limit of proportionality refers to the point beyond which Hooke's law is no longer true when stretching a material. The elastic limit of a material is the furthest amount it can be stretched or deformed without being able to return to its previous shape. Once a material has gone past its elastic limit, its deformation is said to be inelastic.
The higher the spring constant, the stiffer the spring. The spring constant is different for different elastic objects. For a given spring and other elastic objects, the extension is When two quantities have the same ratio or relative size. For example, current is proportional to voltage if the current doubles when the voltage is doubled. to the force applied. For example, if the force is doubled, the extension doubles. This works until the limit of proportionality is exceeded.
Work needs to be done to stretch the spring and this is stored in the spring as Energy stored in squashed, stretched or twisted materials..
When an elastic object is stretched beyond its limit of proportionality, the object does not return to its original length when the force is removed. In this instance, the relationship between force and extension changes from being linear, or directly proportional, to being non-linear.
Non-linear extension occurs more in some materials than others. Materials like clay or putty usually show non-linear extension.
Force - extension graphs
Linear extension and elastic deformation can be seen below the limit of proportionality. Non-linear extension and inelastic deformation can be seen above the limit of proportionality. The limit of proportionality is also described as the elastic limit.