Formative assessment
1 (a) A uniform wire has length L and constant area of cross-section A. The material of the wire has
Young modulus E and resistivity ρ. A tension F in the wire causes its length to increase by DL.
For this wire, state expressions, in terms of L, A, F, DL and ρ for
(i) the stress σ,
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(ii) the strain ε,
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(iii) the Young modulus E,
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(iv) the resistance R.
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(b) One end of a metal wire of length 2.6 m and constant area of cross-section 3.8 × 10–7 m2 is
attached to a fixed point, as shown in Fig. 4.1.
The Young modulus of the material of the wire is 7.0 × 1010 Pa and its resistivity is 2.6 × 10–8Ω m.
A load of 30 N is attached to the lower end of the wire. Assume that the area ofcross-section of the wire
does not change.
For this load of 30 N,
(i) show that the extension of the wire is 2.9 mm,
[1]
(ii) calculate the change in resistance of the wire.
change = ............................................ Ω [2]
(c) The resistance of the wire changes with the applied load.
Comment on the suggestion that this change of resistance could be used to measure the magnitude of the
load on the wire.
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2 (a) A metal wire has spring constant k. Forces are applied to the ends of the wire to extend it within
the limit of Hooke’s law.
Show that, for an extension x, the strain energy E stored in the wire is given by
[4]
(b) The wire in (a) is now extended beyond its elastic limit. The forces causing the extension are
then removed.
The variation with extension x of the tension F in the wire is shown in Fig. 4.1.
Energy ES is expended to cause a permanent extension of the wire.
(i) On Fig. 4.1, shade the area that represents the energy ES. [1]
(ii) Use Fig. 4.1 to calculate the energy ES.
ES = ............................................ mJ [3]
(iii) Suggest the change in the structure of the wire that is caused by the energy ES.
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4 A spring hangs vertically from a fixed point and a mass of 94 g is suspended from the spring,
stretching the spring as shown in Fig. 5.1.
The mass is raised vertically so that the length of the spring is its unextended length. This is illustrated in
Fig. 5.2.
The mass is then released. The mass moves through a vertical distance of 2.6 cm before temporarily
coming to rest. This position is illustrated in Fig. 5.3.
(a) State which diagram, Fig. 5.1, Fig. 5.2 or Fig. 5.3, illustrates the position of the mass such that
(i) the mass has maximum gravitational potential energy,
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(ii) the spring has maximum strain energy.
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(b) Briefly describe the variation of the kinetic energy of the mass as the mass falls from its highest
position (Fig. 5.2) to its lowest position (Fig. 5.3).
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(c) The strain energy E stored in the spring is given by the expression
where k is the spring constant and x is the extension of the spring.
For the mass moving between the positions shown in Fig. 5.2 and Fig. 5.3,
(i) calculate the change in the gravitational potential energy of the mass,
change = ........................................... J [2]
(ii) determine the extension of the spring at which the strain energy is half its maximum value.
extension = ........................................ cm [3]
6 (a) Tensile forces are applied to opposite ends of a copper rod so that the rod is stretched. The
variation with stress of the strain of the rod is shown in Fig. 5.1.
(i) Use Fig. 5.1 to determine the Young modulus of copper.
Young modulus = .......................................... Pa [3]
(ii) On Fig. 5.1, sketch a line to show the variation with stress of the strain of the rod as the
stress is reduced from 2.5 × 106 Pa to zero. No further calculations are expected.
[1]
(b) The walls of the tyres on a car are made of a rubber compound.
The variation with stress of the strain of a specimen of this rubber compound is shown in Fig. 5.2.
As the car moves, the walls of the tyres bend and straighten continuously.
Use Fig. 5.2 to explain why the walls of the tyres become warm.
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