Deformation of solids

You will be able to

• Calculate stress σ = F / A and strain ε = x / L from measurements of load, diameter, length and extension.
• Determine the Young modulus from the gradient of the linear region of a stress–strain graph, with its uncertainty.
• Describe elastic and plastic deformation, and determine the strain energy from the area under a force–extension graph.

You will be able to

• Determine the effective spring constant of springs in series (1/k = Σ 1/kᵢ) and in parallel (k = Σ kᵢ).
• Calculate the extension of a spring combination under a load using F = kx.
• Determine the elastic potential energy from the area under a force–extension graph, Eₚ = ½Fx = ½kx².