FORM 1-PHYSICS-STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF MATTER
STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF MATTER
The Concept of Elasticity
Explain the concept of elasticity
When a force is applied to a body the dimension of the body is usually altered. If an iron wire is stretched by small force applied to it longitudinally, the wire returns to its original shape and size when the force is removed.
Elasticity can be defined as the property of the iron wire by which it recovers its original shape and size on removal of the stretching force.
The Relationship between Tension and Extension of a Loaded Elastic Material
Justify the relationship between tension and extension of a loaded elastic material
Consider the graph below:
Point A is called the elastic limit. The straight region OA of the graph has a slope K given by the ratio.
K= Tension/Extension
The ratio is called the force constant or coefficient of stiffness of the wire and it is expressed in newton per metre (N/M)
The Application of Elasticity in Real Life
Identify the applications of elasticity in real life
In everyday life we often actually do the activities that are concerned with the application of physics. Here are some of the application of physics in everyday life especially in the application of Elasticity:
- Spring mattress. When you sit or sleep on a spring mattress, futon style push your weight. Pressured by the compressed spring mattress. Due to the nature of its elasticity, stretch a spring mattress again. Spring will be stretched and compressed, and so on.
- Spring that is used as shock absorbers on motorcycles. Springs used in the suspension systems of motor vehicles. The purpose of this is to dampen spring a surprise when a motorcycle driven through an uneven road surface.
- Another simple example and that you may often come across is the catapult. When it was about to shoot birds with catapults for example, rubber slingshots first stretch (given the gravity). Due to the nature of its elasticity, long rubber slingshots will return to normal after a tensile force is removed.
