The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. Discuss the differences between stress and strain. (B)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Stress and strain are related but distinct concepts in material science. Stress refers to the internal resistance of a material to deformation and is measured in units of pressure, such as Pascals (Pa). It represents the force applied to a material divided by the area over which the force is applied. Strain, on the other hand, is a dimensionless quantity that measures the deformation a material experiences relative to its initial size as a result of an applied stress. The relationship between stress and strain is described through various mechanical properties of materials, such as elastic modulus or yield strength. These concepts are crucial for engineers in designing safe and reliable structures, as they help predict the behavior of materials under various loading conditions.

Step by step solution

01

Define stress

Stress refers to the internal resistance of a material to deformation, or in simpler terms, the force applied to a material divided by the area over which the force is applied. It is usually measured in units of pressure, such as Pascals (Pa). When a material experiences a force, the stress causes the material to resist the deformation trying to occur.
02

Define strain

Strain refers to the amount of deformation a material experiences relative to its initial size as a result of an applied stress. It is a dimensionless quantity, meaning it has no units. Strain is calculated by dividing the change in length (or size) of the material by its original length (or size). Strain indicates how much the material has deformed under the influence of stress.
03

Compare stress and strain

Stress and strain are related but distinct concepts. While stress measures the force applied to a material divided by the area, strain measures the deformation that results from the applied stress. The relationship between stress and strain can be described through various mechanical properties of materials, such as elastic modulus (in the case of elastic deformation) or yield strength (in the case of plastic deformation).
04

Provide examples

Let's consider a rubber band being stretched. The stretching force applied to the rubber band causes stress within the material. As a result of this stress, the rubber band deforms, and this deformation can be measured as strain. If we stop applying the force, and the rubber band returns to its original size, its stress and strain have both returned to zero.
05

Real-life applications

The concepts of stress and strain are widely used in engineering and material science. They help engineers to predict the behavior of materials under various loading conditions, and to choose appropriate materials for specific applications. For instance, in the design of a bridge, engineers would need to know the stress and strain levels the bridge can withstand to ensure its safety and longevity.

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