ELASTIC
DEFORMATION
Elasticity
Materials bodies which get stretched on the
application of a force and regain its original length
and shapes on the removal of the deforming force
are called elastic bodies. This property of the
material bodies is known as elasticity.
Length of the body before applying the stretching
force is called unstretched length.
Length of the body after applying the stretched
force is called the stretched length.
Difference between the stretched and the unstretched
length of the body is known as extension.
Hooke’s law
A material obeys Hooke’s Law if, the extension is
directly proportional to the stretching force within
the limit of proportionality.
Extension – load graph
The table below shows how the extension of s
spring varies with force applied (load).
Load /N 0 1 2 3 4 5
Extension /mm 0 10 20 30 40 58
The extension – load graph shown below is
plotted the information given on the table
OX is the region where Hooke’s law is obeyed, that
is extension is directly proportional to the stretching
force.
X is the point of limit of proportionality. (The
point beyond which the extension of an object is no
longer proportional the load producing it is called
limit of proportionality.)
E is its elastic limit. Up to E, the spring behaves
elastically and returns to its original length when
the load is removed. Beyond E the spring will not
regain its original length when the stretching force
is removed and the spring is left permanently
stretched when the load is removed.
Spring constant of spring can be calculate by
using formula:
Force = spring constant × extension (F = Ke)
Spring constant of this spring is:
K = F/e = 2 / 20 = 0.1 N/mm
Example question:
A spring of original length 3.0 cm is extended to a
total length of 5.0 cm by a force of 8.0 N.
(a) Calculate the spring constant of the spring.
(b) Assuming the limit of proportionality of the
spring has not been reached; calculate the force
needed to extend it to a total length of 6.0 cm.
Example question:
A spring of original length 3.0 cm is extended to a total length
of 5.0 cm by a force of 8.0 N.
(a) Calculate the spring constant of the spring.
Ans: extension = 5 – 3 = 2 cm
F = Ke
K = F/e = 8/2 = 4N/cm
(b) Assuming the limit of proportionality of the spring has
not been reached; calculate the force needed to extend it to
a total length of 6.0 cm.
Ans: extension = 6 – 3 = 3cm
F = Ke = 4 × 3 = 12N
