A helical spring undergoes tensile deformation when tensile forces
are exerted, and compressive deformation when compressive forces
are exerted
Here is a force extension graph for a spring. The line is straight up until the elastic
limit, where there is elastic deformation. The spring returns to it's original length
Above the elastic limit, the spring undergoes plastic deformation. where there are
permanent structural changes. The spring stays at permanent extension once the force is
removed.
Hookes law = The extension of the spring is directly
proportional to the force applied, below the elastic limit
The force constant k
(Units Nm^-1) is a
measure of stiffness of
the spring, and is given by
the gradient of the graph
Elastic potential energy
If work is done below the elastic limit, the work
done on the material can be fully recovered,
However, above the elastic llimit, atoms have been moved into new
permanent positions, meaning the work done is not recoverable
The area underneath a force-extension graph = Work done
Since the area under the graph is the area of a triangle, E=0.5Fx
By using hookes law, of F=kx, another equation can also be created.
E=0.5(kx)x, therefore E=0.5kx^2
Deforming
materials
Different materials respond differently to tensile forces, meaning the
loading and unloading curves will not be the same
METAL
For metal, hookes law is followed until the elastic limit,
meaning that the unloading curve is identical below this limit.
Beyond however, there is plastic deformation and the
unloading curve is parallel, with permanent extension x.
RUBBER
They do not obey hookes law, there is elastic deformation.
The Hysterisis loop is due to differences of work done.
More work is done stretching the band than unloading it.
The area inside the loop is the energy released when the
material is loaded then unloaded, meaning it's hotter
POLYTHENE
Used in plastic bags, polythene does not obey
hookes law. Very easy to stretch with little force,
resulting in plastic deformation
Stress, Strain, and the Young
Modulus
Tensile stress (Pa) = Force applied per unit
cross-sectional area
Tensile strain (No unit's as it's a ratio) = The fractional
change in the original length of the wire
The following is a stress-strain graph for a
ductile (steel)material, i.e which can be
hammered or drawn in into a wire
Stress is directly proportional to strain until point P
Hookes law is followed until the elastic limit E, with
elastic deformation
At the Yield points, the material extends rapidly.
Non-steel materials may not have this
Point U is the maximum stress a material withstands before it
breaks. Beyond this point, necking occurs, where the steel
becomes thinner and weaker
The Rupture strength, or breaking point is when the material breaks
The ratio of stress to strain is the Young modulus (Units Nm^-2), and
is found by the gradient of the linear region of a stress strain graph
Brittle materials experience elastic deformation until their breaking point, but polymeric
(Rubber or polythene) behave differently based on temperature and structure
Determining the Young modulus of a wire
Measure Diameter d of the wire with a micrometer, to then work
out C.S.A. Average measurements can improve accuracy
The tensile force is worked out using F=mg,
where m is the mass hanger and g=9.81
After applying each mass, work out the extension change
from the original length, again repeating readings
For each load, the stress and strain values are plotted on a stress strain
graph. The gradient of the linear section gives the Young modulus