Young Modulus
Here's a question that requires finding stress, strain, and Young's Modulus, as well as
plotting a graph:
# Question:
A metal wire with a diameter of 2 mm and a length of 1 m is subjected to a series of tensile
forces. The resulting extensions are measured and recorded. The data is shown below:
| Force (N) | Extension (m) |
| --- | --- |
| 100 | 0.001 |
| 200 | 0.002 |
| 300 | 0.003 |
| 400 | 0.004 |
| 500 | 0.005 |
# Part 1:
Find the stress, strain, and Young's Modulus of the wire.
# Solution:
To find the stress, strain, and Young's Modulus, we need to calculate the following:
- Stress (σ) = Force (F) / Cross-sectional area (A)
- Strain (ε) = Extension (x) / Original length (L)
- Young's Modulus (E) = Stress (σ) / Strain (ε)
First, let's calculate the cross-sectional area (A) of the wire:
A = π x (diameter/2)² = π x (0.002 m / 2)² = 3.14 x 10⁻⁶ m²
Now, let's calculate the stress, strain, and Young's Modulus for each data point:
| Force (N) | Extension (m) | Stress (Pa) | Strain | Young's Modulus (Pa) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 100 | 0.001 | 31,830,000 | 0.001 | 31,830,000,000 |
| 200 | 0.002 | 63,660,000 | 0.002 |31,830,000,000 |
| 300 | 0.003 | 95,490,000 | 0.003 | 31,830,000,000 |
| 400 | 0.004 | 127,320,000 | 0.004 | 31,830,000,000 |
| 500 | 0.005 | 159,150,000 | 0.005 | 31,830,000,000 |
# Part 2:
Plot a graph of stress against strain and use it to find the Young's Modulus.
# Solution:
Plot the graph with stress on the y-axis and strain on the x-axis:
The graph should be a straight line with a slope equal to the Young's Modulus.
From the graph, we can see that the slope is approximately 31,830,000,000 Pa, which is
equal to the Young's Modulus calculated earlier.
Therefore, the Young's Modulus of the wire is approximately 31,830,000,000 Pa.
Worked Example
A metal wire that is supported vertically from a fixed point has a load of 92 N applied to the
lower end.
The wire has a cross-sectional area of 0.04 mm2 and obeys Hooke’s law.
The length of the wire increases by 0.50%. What is the Young modulus of the metal wire?
A. 4.6 × 107Pa
B. 4.6 × 1012 Pa
C. 4.6 × 109 Pa
D. 4.6 × 1011 Pa
Answer: D
Step 1: List the known quantities:
● Load force, F = 92 N
● Cross-sectional area, A = 0.04 mm2
● Extension is 0.50% of the original length
Step 2: Determine the stress:
● Convert the area to m2
● Substitute this into the stress equation
Step 3: Determine strain:
● Strain is defined as the extension per unit length
● If extension is 0.50% of length, then strain is simply this value as a decimal number
Step 4: Calculate the Young modulus:
● Substitute these values into the equation
Required Practical: The Young Modulus
Aims of the Experiment
● The aim of the experiment is to measure the Young Modulus of a metal in the form of a
wire
● This requires a clamped horizontal wire over a pulley
● This experiment can also be done with a vertical wire attached to the ceiling with a
mass attached
Variables
● Independent variable = Force (or load) (N)
● Dependent variable = Extension (m)
● Control variables:
○ The original length of wire
○ The thickness of the wire
○ The metal used for the wire
Equipment List
● Resolution of measuring equipment:
○ Metre ruler = 1 mm
○ Micrometer = 0.001 mm
●
Method
This method is an example of the procedure for varying load and measuring the extension of
a copper wire. This is just one way of measuring the relationship between them.
. Measure the diameter of the wire with a micrometre screw gauge or digital callipers.
Take at least 3 readings and find an average
. Set up the apparatus so the wire is taut. No masses should be on the mass hanger just
yet
. Measure the original length of the wire using a metre ruler and mark a reference point
with tape preferably near the beginning of the scale eg. at 1 cm
. Record initial reading on the ruler of the reference point
. Add a 100 g mass onto the mass hanger
. Read and record the new reading of the tape marker from the meter ruler
. Repeat this method by adding a 100 g mass (at least 5 – 10 times) and record the new
scale reading from the metre ruler
● An example of a table with some possible loads and extensions might look like:
Analysis of Results
● The Young modulus is found from the equation
● Where:
○ F = force (or load) (N)
○ L = original length of the wire (m)
○ A = cross-sectional area of the wire (m2)
○ ΔL = extension (m)
● Rearranging the Young Modulus equation for the force, F:
● Comparing this to the equation of a straight line: y = mx
○ y=F
○ x = ΔL
○ Gradient = (Young Modulus × A)/L
1. Calculate the cross-sectional area of the wire
● The area of circle is given by:
● Where: d = diameter of the wire (m)
2. Plot a graph of load (force) against extension
2. Plot a graph of load (force) against extension
● The load is found by multiplying each mass by g (9.81 N kg–1)
3. Determine the gradient of this graph
● F/ΔL is the gradient of the force-extension graph
4. Multiply the gradient by the ratio of the original length and cross-sectional area of the wire
to calculate the Young Modulus
Evaluating the Experiment
Systematic Errors:
● Use a vernier scale for more precise readings
○ This is more likely to produce an accurate value for the extension
● If the wire is extended past its elastic limit, it will be permanently deformed
○ To reduce the risk of this, remove the load and check the wire returns to its
original length before taking any new readings
Random Errors:
● Parallax error from reading the marker on the ruler
● Random errors are reduced by repeating the experiment for all the loads and finding an
average extension
● Reduce the uncertainty on the cross-sectional area by measuring the diameter in
several places and calculating an average
Safety Considerations
● Wear safety goggles at all times in case the wire snaps
● Make sure a cushion or soft surface is kept directly below the mass hanger, in case it
falls off
