"A" Level Physics

Properties of Solids

1.4

Introduction:
This section of the work introduces the student to the way in which we
describe materials both qualitatively and quantitatively. Most of the key definitions are covered
in the Terms Applied to Solids handout the rest of these notes will expand on the key areas.

1.4.1 Terms Applied to Solids.

See handout (Y12PW20A) ; the student should be completely familiar with these terms and
definitions.
1.4.2 Hookes Law

In words

UP TO THE LIMIT OF PROPORTIONALITY

STRESS STRAIN

or

FORCE EXTENSION

what does this mean ?

a graph of force v extension (or stress v strain) gives a straight line.

ie double the force double the extension etc.

Proportionality
We dont like proportionality in Physics so try to get rid of it as quickly as possible (see maths
notes on this subject for details) to do this we replace the sign with an = sign and stick in a
constant.
ie

k x

where k is constant.

For a particular material k will be the same no matter what the extension or force applied is as
long as the material obeys Hookes law. In this particular case k has a special name ie the
stiffness of the material.
Q:

A force of 5N is used to stretch a spring by 10cm.

What is the stiffness of the spring ?
What extension would be caused by a force of 7N ?

1.4.3 Stress and Strain.

When a material is stretched or compressed we say that it is under stress, this may cause
the material to change shape ie cause some strain.

Stress:

Stress ( ) =

Force
X-sectional Area

F
A

Strain

Strain ( )

Change in Length
Original length

L
L

1.4.4 Young's Modulus

2

Measuring the stress and strain produced by a given force on different materials will give
different results for different materials and different dimensions of the same material. This is not
terribly useful. We need to be able to link the stress, strain and material together that will give
us a useful quantity for any given material.
The quantity linking these together is known as the Young's Modulus.

Equation:

Young's Modulus (E)

Stress
Strain

(F/A)
( L / L )

F L
A L

1.4.5 Additional Quantities.

Yield Stress:

The value of the stress ( F / A) when the material yields.

Ultimate Tensile Stress

(UTS)

The value of the stress (F/A) when a material breaks.

1.4.6 Force - Extension Graphs

F/N

L
Area under graph

Work done.

N.B.
3

If the material is stretched work is being done on the material

If the material is "unstretching" work is done by the material
1.4.7 What if the stretching / unstretching lines do not coincide ?
F/N

The shaded area represents either

The work done in deforming the material OR
The heat energy generated in the sample (ie it gets HOT).

1.4.8 Gradient of A Force Extension Graph

Gradient

Force / Extension

1.4.9 Link between Gradient and Youngs Modulus.

Gradient

Force / extension

F
L

STIFFNESS of the Material

(measured in N / m)

But

F
A

L
L

F
L

L
A

Gradient x L
A

Youngs Modulus (E)

1.4.10

(see 1.4.3)

Gradient

L
A

Stress / Strain Graphs

Stress

Strain

Area underneath graph

work done per unit volume

N.B.
To find the amount of work done multiple by the volume.
If the loading / unloading lines do not correspond then the area enclosed is equal to either
the work done per unit volume in deforming the material OR the heat energy
generated per unit volume (note very similar to F v ext graphs BUT per unit volume)

A sample of wire in the form of a thin cylinder of volume 2 x 10 -6 m3 has the following
stress strain graph. Calculate the work done in stretching the wire 6 cm.

G.N.Kennett
Y12PN3.DOC
October 1995