Elasticity

The existence of three states of matter i.e. solid, liquid and gas can be explained on the basis of
interatomic and intermolecular forces.
A solid has a definite shape, size and volume but a liquid possesses a definite volume and not a
definite shape, whereas a gas has neither a definite shape, nor a definite volume.
These states differ from each other due to the following two factors:
1. The magnitudes of the interatomic and intermolecular forces.
2. The extent of random thermal motion of the atoms and molecules of a substance (which
depends upon temperature.)
Elasticity: The property of the body to regain its original configuration (length, volume or
shape) when the deforming forces are removed is called elasticity.

Some terms related to elasticity

(a) Deforming Force : If a force applied on a body causes a change in the shape or size of the
body (either in length, volume or shape,) then this force is deforming force.
(b) Perfectly Elastic Body: A body which regains its original within immediately and
completely after the removal of deforming force from it, is called a perfectly elastic body. Quartz
and phosphor bronze are the examples of nearly perfectly elastic bodies
(c) Perfectly Plastic Body: A body which does not regain its original shape or size at all after the
removal of the deforming force, however small the deforming force may be is called a perfectly
plastic body.
Stress

When a deforming force is applied to a body, it changes the shape or size of the body by
changing the normal positions of the molecules or atoms of the body.

As a result, an internal restoring force comes into play, which tends to bring the body back to its
initial shape or size. This internal restoring force acting per unit area is called stress.
i.e. Stress = Restoring force / area
Strain :

When a deforming force is applied on a body, there is a change in the shape or size of the body.
The body is said to be strained or deformed. The ratio of change in dimension to the original
dimension is called strain.
i.e. Strain being the ratio of two like quantities has no units and dimensions.
Hookes law & Modulus of elasticity
Elastic Limit

Elastic limit is the highest deforming stress under which a material remains elastic
Hookes law

Hookes law states that the extension produced in the wire is directly proportional to the load
applied within elastic limit.
i.e. within elastic limit, extension load applied.
Later on it was found that this law is applicable to all types of deformations such as compression,
bending, twisting etc. and thus a modified form of Hookes law was given as stated below.
Within elastic limit, the stress developed is directly proportional to the strain produced in a body
i.e. stress strain or, stress = E x strain
where E is constant and known as modulus of elasticity.

Modulus of elasticity

According to Hookes law, within elastic limit,

stress strain
or, stress = E x strain
or, stress /strain = E = a constant,
Where E is known as the coefficient of elasticity or, the modulus of elasticity of a body.
It depends upon the nature of material of the body and the manner in which the body is
deformed.
Thus modulus of elasticity is the ratio of the stress to the corresponding strain produced, which is
a constant, within the elastic limit.
Types of moduli of elasticity

Corresponding to three types of strain, there are three elastic moduli, described below :
(a) Youngs Modulus of elasticity (Y)
It is the ratio of stress to the longitudinal strain within the elastic limit. Thus

Consider a metal wire AB of length l, radius r and of uniform area of cross-section a. Let it be
suspended from a rigid support at A, as shown in the figure below.

Let a normal force F be applied at its free end B and let its length increase by l (= BB )
Then, longitudinal strain = l/l

Normal stress = F/a = F/r2

(b) Bulk Modulus of elasticity (k)

It is the ratio of normal stress to the volumetric strain, within the elastic limit. Thus

Consider a spherical solid body of volume V and surface area a. In order to compress the body,
let a pressure p be applied on the body and suppose that its volume decreases by V as shown in
figure.

Then, volumetric strain = V/V

Here negative sign shows that volume is decreasing when pressure is applied.
Normal stress = P
K = P/(V/V)
K = PV/V
(c) Modulus of rigidity ()
It is the ratio of tangential stress to the shearing strain, within the elastic limit. It is also called
shear modulus of rigidity.Thus

Illustration 1: A steel wire of length 4m and diameter 5 mm is stretched by 5 kg-wt. find the
increase in its length, if the Youngs modulus of steel of wire is 2.4 1012 dyne/cm2.
Relation b/w stress & strain for wire

Relation b/w stress & strain for wire

The relationship between stress and strain in a wire is illustrated by the graph shown in the
adjoining figure. The regions are referred to as follows:
OA = Elastic region, Hookes law is valid.
AB = Elastic region, Hookes law is not true
A = proportional limit
B = Elastic limit(strain 1 %) or yield point
BD = Plastic deformation
OE = Permanent set
CD = Plastic flow
D = Fracture point (Corresponding stress is called breaking stress/ tensile strength)
Elastic potential energy

Elastic potential energy in a stretched wire :

When a wire is stretched, some work is done against the internal restoring forces acting between
particles of the wire. This work done appears as elastic potential energy in the wire.
Consider a wire of length l and area of cross section a. Let F be the stretching forces applied on
the wire and l be the increase in length of the wire.
Initially, the internal restoring force was zero but when length is increased by l ,
the internal force for an increase in length l of the wire
= (0 + F)/2 = F/2
Hence, work done on the wire, w = average force increase in length = [F/2 ] l
This is stored as elastic potential energy U in the wire.
U = (1/2) F l = (1/2) F/a l/l al
= (1/2)(stress) (strain) volume of the wire
elastic potential energy per unit volume of the wire
u = (1/2)(stress) (strain) = (1/2) (Youngs modulus strain) strain
( Youngs modulus = stress / strain)
u = (1/2) (youngs modulus ) (strain)2
Illustration : A steel wire of 4.0 m in length is stretched through 2.0 mm. The cross-sectional
area of the wire is 2.0 mm2. If Youngs modulus of steel is 2.0 1011 N/m2 find (I) the energy
density of wire (ii) the elastic potential energy stored in the wire.
Solution: Here, l = 4.0 m ; l = 2 10-3 m ; a = 2.0 10-6 m2
Y = 2.0 1011 N/m2
(i) The energy density of stretched wire
u = (1/2) stress strain = (1/2) Y (strain)2
= (1/2) 2.0 1011 (2 10-3) / 4)2

= 0.25 105 = 2.5 104 J/m3.

(ii) Elastic potential energy = energy density volume
= 2.5 104 (2.0 10-6 ) 4.0 J = 20 10-2 = 0.20 J.