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YOUNG’S MODULUS BY NON-UNIFORM BENDING
Expt.No:
Date :
Aim:
To determine the Young‟s modulus of the material of the given beam by non-
uniform bending.

Objective:
To detect the maximum stress applied to the given beam by Non-uniform bending
method.

Apparatus required:
Travelling microscope, two knife edge supports, weight hanger with set of
weights, pin, meter scale, vernier calipers and screw gauge.

Formula:
The Young‟s modulus of the material of the beam (meter scale) is:
Mgl 3
E 3
N / m2
4bd y
Where
E =Young‟s Modulus of the material of the beam (N/m2)
y =depression at the center of the beam (m)
M=Mass suspended at the center of the beam (Kg)
g = acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2)
l =distance between the two knife edges (m)
b = breadth of the beam (m)
d = thickness of the beam (m)
Theory:
Here the given beam (meter scale) is supported symmetrically on two knife edges
and loaded at its centre. The maximum depression is produced at its centre. Since the load
is applied only at one point of the beam, the bending is not uniform throughout the beam
and the bending of the beam is called non-uniform bending.

Procedure:
Using two knife edges, the meter scale is placed horizontally. Exactly midway
between the knife edges, a pin index using clay is affixed such that its tip is facing
upwards. At that point a weight hanger is suspended. The microscope is adjusted such
that the tip of the image of the pin is exactly at the centre of the cross wires. The loads are
added to the hangers in steps of 50 gm and the microscope is adjusted so that the tip of
the image of the pin just coincides with the horizontal cross wires in each case and the
microscope readings are noted. After reaching the maximum load, the hanger is unloaded
in the same steps of 50 gm and the microscope readings are noted again.
The experiment is repeated for the different lengths of beam. This can be done by
altering the length between the knife edges. Finally the breadth of the scale is measured
using vernier calipers and the thickness using screw gauge respectively at different points
on the beam and mean value is taken. From the observations, the young's modulus of the
beam is calculated by using the given formula.

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Precautions:
1. The beam must be kept horizontal.
2. Since the value of thickness (d) is small and it occurs to the third power in the
expression for y, it must be measured with a screw gauge.
3. While taking readings, the microscope must be rotated in the same direction, so
as to avoid the back-lash error.
4. After loading or removing weights, some time must be allowed before taking if
the readings

Applications:
The elastic property of the material is useful while studying materials for
industrial applications such as construction of bridges, railway wagons etc.,

Viva-Voce
1. What is Hooke‟s Law?
The stress applied to a body is directly proportional to the strain produced in the
body.

2. What is modulus of elasticity?

The ratio of stress to strain is a constant and is known as modulus of elasticity.

3. What is Young‟s modulus?

Young‟s modulus is defined as the ratio of the longitudinal stress to the
longitudinal strain.

4. What is a beam?
When the length of the rod of uniform cross-section is very large compared to its
breadth such that the shearing stress over any section of the rod can be neglected, the rod
is called a beam.

5. What is the change produced in depression when the thickness of the bar is doubled?
If thickness is doubled, then the depression is reduced to 1/8 of its previous value.

6. What is the change produced in depression when the breadth of the bar is doubled?
If breadth is doubled, then the depression is reduced to l/2 of its previous value.

7. What is the change in Young‟s modulus when the thickness and breadth of the bar is
doubled?
Young‟s modulus does not change.

8. How are longitudinal strain and stress produced in your experiment?

Due to depression, the upper or the concave side of the beam becomes smaller
than the lower or the convex side of the beam. As a result, longitudinal strain is produced.
The change in length will be due to the force acting along the length of the beam. These
forces will give rise to longitudinal stress.

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Least count of Traveling microscope (L.C) = 0.001cm (or) 0.001 x10-2 m V.S.R = V.S.C x L.C
T.R = M.S.R+ V.S.R
Distance between the two knife edges (l) = __________ x10-2 m

Table I: To find the average value of M/Y

Microscope readings Average

Load
During increasing load During Decreasing load Mean depression M/Y
M
S.No Y (for x10-1
x10-3 kg MSR VSR TR MSR VSR TR x10-2 m M=50g) Kg/m
x10-2m x10-2m x10-2 m x10-2m X10-2 m x10-2 m x10-2 m
1 50
2 100
3 150
4 200
5 250
6 300
7 350

Mean M/Y = __________________ Kg/m

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Calculation:

Acceleration due to gravity g = 9.8 m/s2

Distance between the two knife edges l = _____________ x 10-2 m
Breadth of the beam b = _____________ x 10-2 m
Thickness of the beam d = _____________ x 10-3 m
Average value of M/y = _____________ kg/m

Young‟s modulus of the material of the beam (meter scale):

Mgl 3
E N / m2
4bd 3 y

E=

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Experiment No-8
YOUNG’S MODULUS BY UNIFORM BENDING

Expt.No:
Date :
Aim:
To determine the Young‟s modulus of the material of the given beam by Uniform-
Bending

Objective:
To detect the maximum stress applied to the given beam by Uniform Bending
method.

Apparatus Required:
Travelling Microscope, Two knife edge supports, Two Weight hangers, Slotted
weights, Pin, Screw gauge, Vernier Calipers.

Formula:
Young‟s modulus of the given material of the beam
3gDl 2 M
E= 3
Nm-2
2bd Y
Where,

E = Young‟s Modulus of the material of the beam (Pascal or N/m2)

Y = Elevation produced for „M‟ Kilogram of load (m)
M = Mass suspended on either sides of the beam (Kg)
g = Acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/sec2)
l = Distance between the two knife edges (m)
b = Breadth of the beam (m)
d = Thickness of the beam (m)
D = Distance between the weight hanger and any one of the adjacent
Knife edge (m)

Procedure:
The given beam is placed over the two knife edges (A & B) at a distance of 70 cm
or 80 cm. Two weight hangers are suspended, one each on either side of the knife edge at
equal distance from the knife edge. Since the load is applied at both points of the beam,
the bending is uniform throughout the beam and the bending of the beam is called
Uniform Bending. A pin is fixed vertically exactly at the centre of the beam.
A traveling microscope is placed in front of this arrangement. Taking the weight
hangers alone as the dead load, the tip of the pin is focused by the microscope and is
adjusted in such a way that the tip of the pin just touches the horizontal cross wire. The
reading on the vertical scale of the traveling microscope is noted.
Now, equal weights are added on both the weight hangers, in steps of 50 grams.
Each time the position of the pin is focused and the readings are noted from the
microscope. The procedure is followed until the maximum load is reached.

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Least count of Traveling microscope (L.C) = 0.001cm (or) 0.001 x10-2m V.S.R = V.S.D x L.C
T.R = M.S.R+ V.S.R
Distance between the two knife edges (l) = __________ x10-2m
Distance between the weight hanger and any one of the adjacent knife edge (D) =__________x10-2 m

Table II: To find the average value of M/Y

Microscope readings x10-2 m

Load Average
Mean elevation M/Y
M
S.No Loading Unloading Y (for X10-1
x10-3 kg M=50g) Kg/m
x10-2m
MSR VSR TR MSR VSR TR x10-2m

1 50
2 100
3 150
4 200
5 250
6 300
7 350

Mean M/Y = __________________ Kg/m

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The same procedure is repeated by unloading the weight from both the weight hanger in
steps of same 50 grams and the readings are tabulated in the tabular column. From the
readings, the mean of (M/y) is calculated. The thickness and the breadth of the beam are
measured using screw gauge and vernier calipers respectively and are tabulated. By
substituting all the values in the given formula, the Young‟s modulus of the given
material of the beam can be calculated.

Viva-Voce:
1. What is stress? Give its unit.
The force applied on a body per unit area is known as stress. Its unit is N/m2.

2. What is strain? Give its unit.

The ratio of change in dimension to original dimension is called strain. It is a
ratio, hence it has no unit.

3. What is elasticity?
The property of the body to regain its original shape and size, after the removal of
the applied stress.

4. What are the factors affecting the elasticity of a material?

a. Effect of stress
b. Effect of change in temperature
c. Effect of Impurities
d. Effect of hammering, rolling and annealing
e. Effect of crystalline nature.

5. What is uniform bending?

The beam is loaded uniformly on its both ends, the bent forms an arc of a circle
and elevation is made on the beam. This bending is called uniform bending.

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Calculation:
Mass suspended on either sides of the beam (M) = 50 x 10-3 Kg
Breadth of the beam b= x 10-2 m
Thickness of the beam d= x 10-3 m
Acceleration due to gravity g= 9.8 m/sec2
Mean Value of M/y = Kg/m
Distance between the two knife edges l= x 10-2 m
Distance between the weight hanger and
the adjacent knife edge D= x 10-2 m

Young‟s modulus of the given material of the beam

3gDl 2 M
E= 3
Nm-2
2bd Y

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Result:
The Young‟s Modulus of the material of the given beam
by Uniform Bending method is E = ____________ N/m2

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