NCERT Solutions for Class 11

Physics
Chapter 9 - Mechanical Properties of Solids
1. A steel wire of length 4.7 m and cross-sectional area 3.0  105 m2 stretches
by the same amount as a copper wire of length 3.5 m and cross-sectional area
4.0  105 m2 of under a given load. What is the ratio of the Young’s modulus
of steel to that of copper?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Length of the steel wire is L1  4.7m .

Area of cross-section of the steel wire is A1  3.0  105 m2 .

Length of the copper wire is L2  3.5m .

Area of cross-section of the copper wire is A 2  4.0  105 m 2 .

Now,
The change in length is given by:
L  L1  L2  4.7  3.5  1.2m
Let the force applied in both the cases be F .
Therefore, Young’s modulus of the steel wire is given by:
F L1 F  4.7
Y1    …… (1)
A1 L 3.0  105  1.2

And Young’s modulus of the copper wire is given by:

F L2 F  3.5
Y2    …… (2)
A 2 L 4.0  105  1.2

Therefore,

Y1 F  4.7  4.0  105  1.2 1.79

 
Y2 3.0  105  1.2  F  3.5 1
Hence the ratio of Young’s modulus of steel to that of copper is 1.79:1 .

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2. Figure shows the strain-stress curve for a given material. What are
a) Young’s modulus?

Ans: From the graph given in the above question it is clear that:
Stress for a given material is 150  106 N / m2 and strain is 0.002 .
Young’s modulus is given by:
Stress
Y
Strain
150  106 N / m 2
Y  7.5  1010 N / m 2
0.002
Therefore, Young’s modulus for the given material is 7.5  1010 N / m2 .

b) approximate yield strength for this material?

Ans: The yield strength of the material is the maximum stress it sustains without
crossing the elastic limit.
From the graph given in the above question, it is clear that approximate yield
strength for this material is 300  10 N / m or 3  10 N / m .
6 2 8 2

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3. The stress-strain graphs for materials A and B are shown in figure.

The graphs are drawn to the same scale.

a) Which of the materials has the greater Young’s modulus?
Ans: In the two graphs it is that given that stress for A is more than that of B.
As,
Stress
Young 's modulus  ,
Strain
Therefore, material A has greater Young's modulus.

b) Which of the two is the stronger material?

Ans: The strength of a material is determined by the amount of stress required
for fracturing a material, corresponding to its fracture point.
Fracture point is defined as the extreme point in a stress-strain curve.
From the graph it is clear that material A can withstand more strain than material
B.
Therefore, material A is stronger than material B.

4. Read the following two statements below carefully and state, with reasons,
if it is true or false.
a) The Young’s modulus of rubber is greater than that of steel.
Ans: The given statement is false.
As there is more strain in rubber than steel and modulus of elasticity is inversely
proportional to strain. Therefore, the Young’s modulus of steel is greater than that
of rubber.

b) The stretching of a coil is determined by its shear modulus.

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Ans: The given statement is true.
As the shear modulus of a coil relates with the change in shape of the coil and the
stretching of coil changes its shape without any change in the length. Therefore,
the shear modulus of elasticity is involved. Hence the stretching of a coil is
determined by its shear modulus.

5. Two wires of diameter 0.25 cm, one made of steel and the other made of
brass are loaded as shown in figure. The unloaded length of steel wire is 1.5
m and that of brass wire is 1.0 m. Compute the elongations of the steel and
the brass wires.

Ans: In the above question it is given that:

Diameter of the wires is d  0.25m .
Hence r  0.125m .
Length of the steel wire is L1  1.5m .

Length of the brass wire is L2  1.0m .

Total force exerted on the steel wire is F1   4  6  g  10g

 F1  10  9.8  98N .
Young’s modulus for steel is given by
F1 L1
Y1  
A1 L1
Where,
L1 is the change in the length of the steel wire.

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And A1 is the area of cross-section of the steel wire.
 A1  r12
We have,
Young’s modulus of steel is Y1  2.0  1011 Pa .

F1  L1
 L1 
A1  Y1

98  1.5
 L1   1.49  104 m .
  0.125   2.0  10
2 11

Total force on the brass wire is F2  6  9.8  58.8N .

Young’s modulus for brass is given by
F2 L
Y2   2
A 2 L 2
Where,
L2 is the change in the length of the brass wire.

And A 2 is the area of cross-section of the brass wire.

 A 2  r2 2
We have,
Young’s modulus of brass is Y2  0.91  1011 Pa .

F2  L 2
 L 2 
A 2  Y2

58.8  1
 L 2   1.3  104 m .
  0.125   0.91  10
2 11

4
Clearly, the elongation of the steel wire is 1.49  10 m and that of the brass wire
4
is 1.3  10 m .

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6. The edge of an aluminium cube is 10 cm long. One face of the cube is firmly
fixed to a vertical wall. A mass of 100 kg is then attached to the opposite face
of the cube. The shear modulus of aluminium is 25 GPa. What is the vertical
deflection of this face?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Edge of the aluminium cube is L  10cm  0.1m .
The mass attached to the cube is m  100kg .

Shear modulus  of aluminium is 25GPa  25 1010 Pa .

We know that:
Shear stress
Shear modulus   
Shear strain
F
 
  
A
 L 
 
 L 
Where,
F is the applied force.
 F  mg  100  9.8  980N

Area of one of the faces of the cube is A  0.1 0.1  0.01m2 .

Vertical deflection of the cube is L .
FL
L 
A
980  0.1
 L   3.92  107 m
0.01 25  109

Clearly, the vertical deflection of this face of the cube is 3.92  107 m .

7. Four identical hollow cylindrical columns of mild steel support a big

structure of mass 50,000 kg. The inner and outer radii of each column are 30
cm and 60 cm respectively. Assuming the load distribution to be uniform,
calculate the compressional strain of each column.

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Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Mass of the big structure is M  50000kg .

Inner radius of the column is r  30cm  0.3m .

Outer radius of the column is R  60cm  0.6m
Young’s modulus of steel is Y  2  1011 Pa
The total force exerted is F  Mg  50000  9.8N .
Stress = Force exerted on a single column

50000  9.8
 Stress   122500N
4
Young’s modulus is given by:
Stress
Y
Strain
F
 
 Strain   
A
Y
Where,
Area is given by


A    R 2  r 2     0.6    0.3 .
2 2

 
 50000  9.8 

 Strain  

   0.6 2   0.32
 
  7.22  107
2  1011
Therefore, the compressional strain of each column is 7.22  107 .

8. A piece of copper having a rectangular cross-section of 15.2 mm × 19.1

mm is pulled in tension with 44,500 N force, producing only elastic
deformation. Calculate the resulting strain?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Length of the piece of copper is l  19.1mm  19.1 103 m .

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Breadth of the piece of copper is b  15.2mm  15.2  103 m
Area of the copper piece will be:
A  lb
 A  19.1 103  15.2  103  2.9  104 m2
Tension force applied on the piece of copper is F  44500N .
Modulus of elasticity of copper is   42  109 N / m 2 .
We know that :
Stress
Modulus of elasticity   
Strain
F
 
  
A
Strain
F
 Strain 
A
44500
 Strain  4
 3.65  103
2.9  10  42  109

Hence, the resulting strain is 3.65 103 .

9. A steel cable with a radius of 1.5 cm supports a chairlift at a ski area. If

the maximum stress is not to exceed 108 N / m 2 , what is the maximum load
the cable can support?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Radius of the steel cable is r  1.5cm  0.015m .
Maximum allowable stress is 108 N / m2 .
We know that:
Maximum force = Maximum stress  Area of cross-section

 Maximum force =108    0.015   7.065  104 N

2

Therefore, the cable can support the maximum load of 7.065  104 N .

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10. A rigid bar of mass 15 kg is supported symmetrically by three wires each
2.0 m long. Those at each end are of copper and the middle one is of iron.
Determine the ratio of their diameters if each is to have the same tension.
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Tension force acting on each wire is the same.
Therefore the extension produced in each wire is the same.
As the length of both wires is the same, the strain in both wires is also the same.
Young’s modulus is given by:
Stress
Y
Strain
F 4F
 
 Y     d
A 2
…… (1)
Strain Strain
Where,
F is the Tension force,
A is the area of cross-section and
d is the diameter of the wire
1
From equation (1), it is clear that Y  .
d2
Young’s modulus for iron is Y1  190  109 Pa .

Let diameter of the iron wire be d1 .

Young’s modulus for copper is Y2  100  109 Pa .

Let diameter of the copper wire be d 2 .

Therefore, the ratio of their diameters is given as:

d2 Y1 190  109 1.31

  
d1 Y2 100  109 1

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Therefore, the ratio of diameters of copper wire to iron wire is 1.31:1 .

11. A 14.5 kg mass, fastened to the end of a steel wire of unstretched length
1.0 m, is whirled in a vertical circle with an angular velocity of 2 rev/s at the
bottom of the circle. The cross-sectional area of the wire is 0.065cm2 .
Calculate the elongation of the wire when the mass is at the lowest point of
its path.
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Mass is m  14.5 kg .
Length of the steel wire is l  1.0 m
Angular velocity is   2rev / s
Cross-sectional area of the wire is a  0.065cm2  0.065  104 m2 .
Consider the elongation of the wire when the mass is at the lowest point of its
path to be l .
The total force on the mass when the mass is placed at the position of the vertical
circle is given by:
F  mg  ml2

 F  14.5  9.8  14.5  1 24  200.1N

Young’s modulus is given by:
Stress
Y
Strain
F
 
Y  
A
 l 
 
 l 
Fl
 l 
AY
We know that Young’s modulus for steel is 2  1011 Pa .
Therefore,

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 220.1  1
l  4
 1.53  104 m
0.065  10  2  10 11

Thus, the elongation of the wire is 1.53  104 m .

12. Compute the bulk modulus of water from the following data: Initial
volume = 100.0 litre, Pressure increase = 100.0 atm  1atm  1.013  105 Pa  .
Final volume = 100.5 litre. Compare the bulk modulus of water with that of
air (at constant temperature). Explain in simple terms why the ratio is so
large.
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Initial volume is V1  100.0l  100  103 m3 .

Final volume is V2  100.5l  100.5  103 m3 .

Thus, the increase in volume is V2  V1  0.5  103 m3 .

Increase in pressure is p  100atm  100  1.013  105 Pa .

The formula for bulk modulus is
p pV1
Bulk Modulus  
 V  V
 
 V1 
100  1.013  105  100  103
 Bulk Modulus= 3
 2.026  109 Pa
0.5  10 m 3

We know that Bulk modulus of air is 1 105 Pa .

Bulk modulus of water 2.026  109
   2.026  104
Bulk modulus of air 1  10 5

This ratio is very high because air is more compressible than water.

13. What is the density of water at a depth where pressure is 80.0 atm, given
that its density at the surface is 1.03  103 kg / m 3 ?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Pressure at the given depth is p  80.0atm  80  1.01  105 Pa .

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Consider the given depth to be h.
Density of water at the surface is 1  1.03  103 kg / m3

Consider  2 to be the density of water at the depth h.

Consider V1 to be the volume of water of mass m at the surface.

Consider V2 to be the volume of water of mass m at the depth h.

Consider V to be the change in volume.
V  V1  V2

 1   1  
 V  m      
 1   2  
Now,
 1   1     
Volumetric strain  m         1 
 1   2    m 

V  
  1   1  …… (1)
V1  2 
Bulk modulus is given by:
pV1
Bulk modulus 
V
V p
 
V1 B
Compressibility of water is given by:
1
 45.8  1011 Pa 1
B
V
  80  1.013  105  45.8  1011  3.71 103 …… (2)
V1

From equations (1) and (2) we get:

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  
1   1   3.71  103
 2 
1.03  103 3
 2   1.034  10 3
kgm
 
1  3.71  103 
 

Clearly, the density of water at the given depth (h) is 1.034  103 kgm 3 .

14. Compute the fractional change in volume of a glass slab, when subjected
to a hydraulic pressure of 10 atm.
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
The hydraulic pressure exerted on the glass slab is p  10atm  10  1.013  105 Pa
.
Also, we know that bulk modulus of glass is B  37  109 N / m2 .
Bulk modulus is given by the relation:
p
B
 V 
 
 V 
Where,
V
is the fractional change in volume.
V
 V  p
 
 V  B

 V  10  1.013  10
5
   2.73  105
 V  37  109

Clearly, the fractional change in the volume of the glass slab is 2.73  105 .

15. Determine the volume contraction of a solid copper cube, 10 cm on an

edge, when subjected to a hydraulic pressure of 7  106 Pa .
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
The length of an edge of the solid copper cube is l  10cm  0.1m .

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Hydraulic pressure is p  7  106 Pa .
Bulk modulus of copper is B  140  109 Pa .
Bulk modulus is given by the relation:
p
B
 V 
 
 V 
Where,
V
is the volumetric strain
V
V is the change in volume.
V is the original volume.
pV
 V 
B
The original volume of the cube is V  l3 .
pl3
 V 
B

7  106   0.1
3

 V   5  108 m3  5  102 cm3

140  10 9

Clearly, the volume contraction of the solid copper cube is 5  102 cm3 .

16. How much should the pressure on a litre of water be changed to compress
it by 0.10%?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Volume of water is V  1L .
The water is to be compressed by 0.10% .
V 0.1
 Fractional change    103
V 100  1
Bulk modulus is given by the relation:

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 p
B
 V 
 
 V 
 V 
 p  B 
 V 
We know that, bulk modulus of water is B  2.2  109 N / m2
 p  2.2  109  103  2.2  106 N / m 2 .

Clearly, the pressure on water should be 2.2  106 N / m2 .

17. Anvils made of single crystals of diamond, with the shape as shown in
figure, are used to investigate behaviour of materials under very high
pressures. Flat faces at the narrow end of the anvil have a diameter of 0.50
mm, and the wide ends are subjected to a compressional force of 50,000 N.
What is the pressure at the tip of the anvil?

Ans: In the above question it is given that:

The diameter of the cones at the narrow ends is d  0.50mm  0.5  103 m
 Radius will be r  0.25  103 m
The Compressional force is F  50000N .
Pressure at the tip of the anvil is given by:
Force 50000
P    2.55  1011 Pa
Area   0.25  103  2

Clearly, the pressure at the tip of the anvil will be 2.55  1011 Pa .

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18. A rod of length 1.05 m having negligible mass is supported at its ends by
two wires of steel (wire A) and aluminium (wire B) of equal lengths as shown
in Fig. 9.15. The cross-sectional areas of wires A and B are 1.0mm2 and
2.0mm2 , respectively. At what point along the rod should a mass m be
suspended in order to produce
a) equal stresses

Ans: In the above question it is given that:

The cross-sectional area of wire A is 1.0mm2  1.0 106 m2 .
Cross-sectional area of wire B is 2.0mm2  2.0  106 m2 .
Young’s modulus for steel is Y1  2  1011 N / m 2 .

Young’s modulus for aluminium is Y2  7  1010 N / m 2 .

Consider a small mass m to be suspended to the rod at a distance y from the end
where wire A is attached.
F
Stress in the wire 
a
If the two wires have equal stresses,
F1 F2

a1 a 2
Where,
F1 is the force exerted on the steel wire.

F2 is the force exerted on the aluminium wire.

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 F1 F2 1
   …… (1)
a1 a 2 2
Consider the figure given below:

Taking torque about the point of suspension, we get:

F1y  F2 1.05  y  …… (2)

From equations (1) and (2), we get:

1
1.05  y  
2
 2 1.05  y   y

 y  0.7m
Clearly, to produce an equal stress in the two wires, the mass must be suspended
at a distance of 0.7m from the end where wire A is attached.

b) equal strains in both steel and aluminium wires.

Ans: Young’s modulus is given by:
Stress
Y
Strain
 F
Stress  a 
 Strain  
Y Y
When the strain in the two wires is equal,

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 F1   F2 
   
 a1    a 2 
Y1 Y2
F aY
 1 1 1
F2 a 2 Y2
We have
a1 1

a2 2

F1 1 2  1011 10
   …… (3)
F2 2  7  1010 7
Consider the torques about the point where mass m, to be suspended at a distance
y1 from the side where wire A attached;

F1y1  F2 1.05  y1 

F1 1.05  y1 
  …… (4)
F2 y1
From equations (3) and (4), we get:
10
1.05  y1  
7
 7 1.05  y1   10y1

 y1  0.432m
Clearly, to produce an equal strain in the two wires, the mass must be suspended
at a distance of 0.432m from the end where wire A is attached.

19. A mild steel wire of length 1.0 m and cross-sectional area 0.50  102 cm2
is stretched, well within its elastic limit, horizontally between two pillars. A
mass of 100 g is suspended from the mid-point of the wire. Calculate the
depression at the midpoint.
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Mass is m  100 g  0.100 kg

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Length of the mild steel wire is 1.0m .
Cross-sectional area is 0.50  102 cm2 .
Now consider the figure given below:

If x is the depression at the mid point i.e., CD  x .

AB  BC  l  0.5m

AD  BD  l2  x 2
The increase in length will be:
l  AD  BD  AB  2AD  AB
 l  2 l2  x 2  2l

 x2 
 l  2l 1  2   2l
 2l 

 x2  x2
 l  2l 1  2  1 
 2l  l
Now, we know that
increase in length x 2
Strain   2
original length 2l
If T is the tension in the wire, then
2Tcos   mg

mg
T  (1)
2cos 
Here,

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 19

 x x x
cos    
1 1
 x2 
 l2  x 2  2  x2 2
l 1  2 
l 1  2 
 2l 
 l 
As x  l ;
x2
1 2 1
2l
x
 cos    (2)
l
From (1) and (2),
mgl
T
2x
Also, stress is given by:
T mgl
Stress  
A 2Ax
And Young’s modulus is given by:
Stress
Y
Strain
mgl 2l2 mgl3
Y  
2Ax x 2 Ax 3
1
 mg  3
 x  l 
 AY 
1
 0.1  10  3
 x  0.5  6 
 0.01074m
 20  10  0.5  10 
11

Clearly, the depression at the midpoint is 0.01074m .

20. Two strips of metal are riveted together at their ends by four rivets, each
of diameter 6.0 mm. What is the maximum tension that can be exerted

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 20

by the riveted strip if the shearing stress on the rivet is not to exceed
6.9  107 Pa ? Assume that each rivet is to carry one quarter of the load.
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
The diameter of the metal strip is d  6.0mm  6.0  103 m .
Radius will be r  3.0  103 m .
Maximum shearing stress is 6.9  107 Pa .
We know that:
Maximum load or force
Maximum stress 
Area
 Maximum force  Maximum stress  Area

 Maximum force  6.9  107    r 

2

 Maximum force  6.9  107    3.0  103   1949.94N

2

Since each rivet is said to carry one quarter of the load;

Maximum tension on each rivet is 1949.94  4  7799.76N
Clearly, the maximum tension that can be exerted is 7799.76N .

21. The Marina trench is located in the Pacific Ocean, and at one place it is
nearly eleven km beneath the surface of water. The water pressure at the
bottom of the trench is about 1.1  108 Pa . A steel ball of initial volume is
0.32m3 dropped into the ocean and falls to the bottom of the trench. What
is the change in the volume of the ball when it reaches the bottom?
Ans: In the above question it is given that:
Water pressure at the bottom of the trench is about 1.1 108 Pa .
Initial volume of the steel ball is V  0.32m3 .
Bulk modulus of steel is 1.6  1011 N / m2 .
The ball is said to fall at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, which is 11 km beneath
the surface.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 21

Consider the change in the volume of the ball on reaching the bottom of the trench
to be V .
Bulk modulus is given by the relation:
p
B
 V 
 
 V 
pV
 V 
B
1.1  108  0.32
 V   2.2  104 m3
1.6  10 11

Clearly, the change in volume of the ball on reaching the bottom of the trench is
2.2  104 m3 .

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