CHAPTER−9

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOLIDS

Solids :
The materials having a definite shape and size are known as solids.
This is due to strong interatomic and intermolecular force.
Rigid body :
Rigid body is a hard solid object having definite shape and size whose size
and shape does not change under the action of force.
Deforming force :
A force which cause deformation in the body is called deforming force.
Elasticity :
It is the property of a solid body due which it regains its original dimensions
on the removal of deforming force.
Plasticity :
It is the property of a solid body due which it does not regain its original
dimensions on the removal of deforming force.
Elastic body :
A body is said to be elastic if it regain its original dimensions on the removal
of deforming force.
Example: Rubber, Steel
Plastic body :
A body is said to be Plastic if it does not regain its original dimensions on the
removal of deforming force.
Example: mud, wet clay etc.
Perfectly elastic body :
A body is said to be perfectly elastic if it completely regain its original
dimensions on the removal of deforming force.
Perfectly Plastic body :
A body is said to be perfectly plastic if it does not regain its original
dimensions even slightly on the removal of deforming force.
Elastic be haviour of solids :
 In a solid atoms or molecules are tightly bonded and stays in a stable equilibrium
position due to strong interatomic and intermolecular forces.
 When deforming force is applied on a body, the atoms or molecules are displaced
from their equilibrium position and solid gets deformed.
 When the deforming force is removed, the interatomic and intermolecular forces try
to bring them back to their original positions. Hence the body regain its original
shape.
Stress:
The restoring force per unit area of the body is called as stress.
The restoring force is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the deforming force.
∴ Stress can also be defined as
restoring force deforming force
Stress= ∨Stress=
area of thebody area of the body
If F is the force applied and A is the area of cross section of the body, then
 F −−−−N
Stress= − ∨ pascal ( Pa )
A m
2

 Stress is a scalar quantity.

 Stress has a dimensional formula [ M L−1 T −2 ]
Types of Stress:
There are 3 types.
1) Longitudinal stress
2) Tangential (Shearing) stress
3) Bulk stress

1) Longitudinal stress (Normal stress):

If the deforming force is applied perpendicular to the surface of a body to change its
length, the restoring force per unit area is called longitudinal stress.
Longitudinal stress is of two types .
a) Tensile stress :
If the deforming force is applied perpendicular to the surface of a
body to increase its length, the restoring force per unit area is called tensile stress.

b) Compressive stress:

If the deforming force is applied perpendicular to the surface of a body to decrease its
length, the restoring force per unit area is called tensile stress.

2)

Tangential stress(Shearing stress):

If the deforming force is applied parallel to the surface of a
body then there is a relative displacement between opposite faces, the restoring force
per unit area is called tangential stress.
3) Hydraulic stress :
If the deformed force compresses the body uniformly from all the
sides, the restoring force per unit area is called hydraulic stress.
Strain:
It is the ratio of change in dimension to the original dimension.
change∈dimension
i .e Strain=
originaldimension
Strain has no unit and dimension, because it is the ratio of same physical quantity.
Types of Strain :
There are 3 types.
1) Longitudinal stress
2) Tangential (Shearing) stress
3) Bulk stress
1) Longitudinal strain :
When the deforming force produces change in length of the
body, the strain is called
Longitudinal strain.
It is the ratio of change in length to the original length.

If L is the original length and ∆ L is the change in length, then

change ∈length ∆ L
Longitudinal strain= =
original length L

2) Shearing strain :
When the deforming force produces change in shape of the body, the
strain is called
Shearing strain.
It is the ratio of relative displacement of the faces to the length of the cylinder.
If L is the length of the cylinder and ∆ x is the relative displacement in length, then
Relative displacement of the faces ∆ x
Shearing strain= = =tan θ
length of the cylinder L
3) Bulk strain :
When the deforming force produces change in volume of the
body, the strain is called
Bulk strain.
It is the ratio of change in volume to the original volume.
If V is the original volume and ∆ V is the change in volume, then

change∈ volume ∆ V
Bulk starin= =
original volume V
'
Hook e s Law :
For a small deformation, stress and strain are proportional to each other.
i .e Stress ∝ strain
¿ Stress=k strain
Stress
−−−−−N /m −−−−−[ M L T ]
2 −1 −2
¿k=
Strain
Where k is a constant called modulus of elasticity.
Modulus of elasticity is the ratio of stress to strain.
Note:
For a given material modulus of elasticity is high indicates that large amount of stress is
required to produce small strain.
Types of modulus of elasticity :
1) Young’ s Modulus (Y ):
The ratio of longitudinal stress to the longitudinal strain is called Young’s Modulus.
F
longitudinal stress A
i .e Young’ s Modulus ( Y )= =
longitudinal strain ∆ L
L
F L
¿Y=
A ∆L
'
Youn g s modulus of a wire :
Consider a wire of length L and area of cross section A suspended from a rigid support. Let
∆ L be the increase in length of the wire due to load F at the other end, then
F ∆L
Longitudinal stress= ∧Longitudinal strain=
A L
 F
A F L
∴Y= =¿ Y =
∆L A ∆L
L
If r is the radius of the wire, then area A=πr 2
F L
∴Y= 2
πr ∆ L
 S . I unit of Young ’ s Modulus is N /m2 ∨pascal (Pa)
 Youn g' s modulus are possessed by only solids .
 F or a perfectly rigid body Youn g' smodulus Y =∞ ( ∵ ∆ L=0 )
 Steel is more elastic than rubber. Because young’s modulus of steel is 105 times
greater than that of rubber.
2) Shear modulus∨rigidity modulus (G):
The ratio of shearing stress to the shearing strain is called shear Modulus.
F
shearing stress A
i .e Rigidity modulus ( η ) = =
shearing strain ∆ x
L
F L
¿ η=
A ∆x
 S . I unit of Shear Modulus is N / m2 ∨pascal ( Pa)
 Shear modulus are possessed by only solids .
 F or a perfectly rigid body Shear modulus η=∞ ( ∵ ∆ L=0 )
 For an ideal fluid rigidity modulus η=0
3) Bulk modulus :
The ratio of bulk stress to the bulk strain is called Bulk Modulus.
F
Bulk stress A
i .e Bulk modulus ( B )= =
( )
Bulk strain ∆ V
V
F
but =P=pressure
A
V
∴ B=−P
∆V
−ve signindicates that volume decrease s with an increase∈ pressure .
 S . I unit of Bulk Modulus is N /m 2∨ pascal( Pa)
 Bulk modulus are possessed by solids , liquids∧gases .
Note :
 The bulk modulus of solids and liquids are very large indicating the fact that large
forces are needed to produce even minute change in volume.
 Gases are more easily compressed and have smaller bulk modulus.
Compressibility (k ):
Compressibility is a measure of how easily the material is compressed.
Or
It is the reciprocal of bulk modulus.
It is denoted by k.
1 −1 ∆ V
k = ∨k=
B p V
 S.I unit of compressibility is N −1 m2∨Pa−1 .

Stress−Strain curve for an elastic material(metal):

A curve which is

obtained by plotting a
graph between stress
along Y axis and strain along x-axis is called stress strain curve.
¿ the graph :
1) In the region between O to A , the curve is linear. Stress and strain are proportional.
Hooke’s law is valid. Solid behaves as an elastic body .The point A in the curve is called
proportional limit.
2) In the region between A to B stress and strain are not proportional .Hooke’s law is not
valid. But the body still regain its original dimensions when the deformed force is
removed. The point B in the curve is called yield point or elastic limit. And the
corresponding stress is called yield strength.
3) If the load is increased further , strain increases rapidly for a small increase in stress.
When load is removed at some point beyond B say C , the body does not regain its
 original dimension. When the stress is zero, the strain is not zero. The material is said to
have permanent set.

4) The point D on the graph is the ultimate tensile strength of the material. Beyond this
point strain increases even when stress is decreased and fracture occurs at point E.

 If the ultimate tensile strength and fracture points are close, the material is said to be
brittle . Example : Glass

 If the ultimate tensile strength and fracture points far apart, the material is said to
be ductile . Example : copper
 The material which can be stretched to a large value of strain (several times of its
original length) and it regain its original dimensions are called Elastomers .
Example : Rubber, tissue of aorta.
 Proportional limit :
It is the point on the stress strain curve till which stress and strain are
proportional to each other.

 Elastic limit :
It is the point on stress strain curve till which the body will remain
elastic.
 Yield strength :
It is the maximum stress that a body can sustain without losing its elasticity.

 ultimate tensile strength :

It is the maximum stress that a body can sustain without breaking.

Note:
Stress-strain curve for the elastic tissue of Aorta,

Elastic Potential Energy ∈a Stretched Wire :

The amount of work done by an external force against restoring force in stretching a
wire is stored in the wire in the form of energy called elastic potential energy.
Consider a wire of length L and area of cross section A suspended from a rigid support. Let
F be the force applied to stretch the wire byl , then
' F L YAl
Youn g s modulus of the wire Y = ∨F=
A l L
Let dW be the small amount of work done to increase the length of a wire by dl then,
dW =F dl
∴Total work done to increase the length of a wire by an amount l is
W =∫ dW
W =∫ F dl
YAl
W =∫ dl
L
YA
W = ∫ l dl
L

()
2
YA l
W=
L 2

W = ( )×
2
YA l L
L 2 L

()
2
1 l
W = ×Y × × AL
2 L

()
2
1 l
W = ×Y × × AL
2 L
1 ' 2
W = ×Youn g smodulus × ( strain ) × volume of the wire
2
1 stress 2
W= × × ( strain ) × volume of the wire
2 strain
1
W = × stress× strain × volume of the wire
2
This work done is stored in the wire in the form of elastic potential energy(U ).
1
U = × stress × strain × volume of the wire
2
1
¿ Elastic potential energy per unit volume of the wire U V = × stress ×strain .
2
Poisson’ s ratio ( σ ) :
When a long bar is stretched by a force along its length, then its length increases and its
diameter decreases.
The ratio of change in diameter to the original diameter is called lateral strain.
change ∈diameter ∆ D
Lateral strain= =
origi naldiameter D
The ratio of change in length to the original length is called longitudinal strain.
change ∈length ∆ L
Longitudinal strain= =
original length L
The ratio of lateral strain to the longitudinal strain is called Poisson’s ratio.
Lateral strain ∆ D/ D
i .e Poisson ’ s ratio= =
Longitudinal strain ∆ L/ L
−L ∆ D
¿ Poisson’ s ratio σ=
D ∆L
Applications of elastic behaviour of materials :
1. Bridges are declared unsafe after long use.
This is because due to the continuous traffic, the materials used in bridges loses its elastic
strength. After long use, the bridges develops large strain even for a small stress and
bridges may collapse at any time.

2. The metallic part of the machinery are never subjected to a stress exceeding the
elastic limit.
This is because if it subjected to a stress beyond elastic limit , it will bring about a
permanent deformation in the structure.

3. To decide the radius of the rope used in crane to life heavy loads
Let us suppose, a rope required to lift a maximum load of 105 kg . Elastic limit of steel is
3 ×10 Nm . Stress must be less than elastic limit.
8 −2

stress≤ Elastic limit

F 8
=3 ×10
A
mg 8
2
=3 ×10
πr
5
10 ×10 8
2
=3 ×10
3 .14 × r
5
2 10 ×10
r= 8
3 . 14 ×3 ×1 0
r =3 cm
4. To estimate the maximum height of a mountain
The elastic limit of rock is 3 ×10 8 Nm−2; density of rock is 3 ×103 kgm−3 . Stress must be less
than elastic limit.
stress≤ Elastic limit
F 8
≤ 3 ×10
A
mg 8
=3× 10
A
ρVg 8
=3× 10
A
ρ( Ah) g
=3 ×108
A
8
ρ h g=3 ×10
8 8
3 × 10 3 ×10 4
h= = 3
=10 m=10000 m=10 km
ρg 3 ×10 × 10
If h is more than 10000 m rock begin to sink under its own weight.
5. To minimise bending of beam
When beam of lengthl , breadth b and a depth d placed on two wedges. Beam is loaded at
the middle with a weight W =mg ,then the depression ( δ )or buckling in the beam is
 3
mgl
δ= 3
4 bd Y
The depression in the beam can be reduced by increasing the depth.
1
δ∝ 3
d

6. In building and bridges constructions, pillars used are in the shape of letter I.
This provides large load bearing surface and enough depth to prevent bending.
QU ESTIONS :
ONE MARK QUESTIONS
1. What is elasticity of a body?
2. What is plasticity?
3. Give one example for plastic substance.
4. Define stress.
5. Write the S.I unit of the stress.
6. Define strain.
7. Define longitudinal strain.
8. Define volume strain.
9. Define shearing strain.
10. Define elastic limit.
11. Define ultimate tensile strength.
12. What are elastomers?
13. Give one example for elastomers.
14. Define modulus of elasticity.
15. Define Young`s modulus.
16. Write the expression for magnitude of the Young`s modulus.
17. What is the S.I unit of the Young`s modulus?
18. Write the dimensional formula of the Young`s modulus.
19. Why steel is preferred in heavy duty machines and in structural design?
20. Why springs are manufactured in steel instead of copper?
21. Define shear modulus or modulus of rigidity.
22. Define bulk modulus.
23. What is compressibility?
24. Why steel is more elastic than that of rubber?
25. What is the buckling of the material of the road?
26. Why pillars or columns of the bridges and buildings have distributed shape at
their ends?
27. Why liquid and gas do not posses modulus of rigidity?
28. Write the S.I for the compressibility.
TWO MARK QUESTIONS .
1. State and explain Hooke’s law.
2. Write the expression for Young`s modulus of the material of the wire under
stretching. Explain the terms.
3. Write the expression for rigidity modulus of the material. Explain the terms.
4. Write the expression for bulk modulus of the material. Explain the terms.
5. A square lead slab of side 50cm and thickness 10cm subjected to shearing force of
9X104N. Calculate the shearing stress acting on the slab.
6. Write two application of elastic behavior of the material.
7. A steel rod of area of cross section 3.14x10-4 m2 is stretched by a force of 100kN.
Calculate the stress acting on the rod
8. Compute the fractional change in the volume of glass sphere when subjected to a
hydraulic pressure of 1.013x106 Nm2 . Given bulk modulus of glass is 3.7x1010 Nm2
THREE MARK QUESTIONS
1. Draw typical stress – strain graph for a material and represent Yield point,
elastic limit and fracture point.
FIVE MARK QUESTIONS
1.Draw typical stress –stain curve for a material and explain.
1. 1