A linear relationship exists between the strain ( ϵ ) imposed upon a material type and the corresponding stress ( σ ) needed to cause such a deformation; well, up to a limit : The linear portion of the slope corresponds to magnitudes of strain that will cause a material to flex and snap backContinue reading “SOLIDS: Strength”
Category Archives: Solids
SOLIDS: Strain
We have seen how the spring constant ( k ) varies in proportion to the magnitude of force ( Fs ) acting within a springy system. Consider the two systems below, where three physically identical spring systems are used to create two systems, one on the left with the other to the right of theContinue reading “SOLIDS: Strain”
SOLIDS: Stress
In a previous question-and-answer sequence, the spring constant ( k ) for a car’s shock absorbers was determined. Interestingly enough, when the net force exerted by all four shock absorbers was determined, an entirely different spring constant of ( k’ ) was derived. Why would the fraction of the system’s net force ( ¼ FsContinue reading “SOLIDS: Stress”
SOLIDS: The Potential Energy of a Spring
An unbalanced force that influences the motion of an object will cause it to experience an acceleration ( a ). If such an object is opposed by some equal and opposite force ( F ), it will move with a constant velocity ( v ). Maintenance of this type of motion requires energy ( JContinue reading “SOLIDS: The Potential Energy of a Spring”
SOLIDS: Elasticity
When a force is applied to an object, it responds in a manner that is dependent upon its molecular composition. Some objects are easily ( and permanently ) deformed by forces applied to them. In other cases, an object will recoil and return to its original form after being temporarily deformed by a force. ObjectsContinue reading “SOLIDS: Elasticity”
SOLIDS: The Size of Atoms
Prior to advances in x-ray scattering technology, creativity and mathematics were the tools used to estimate the size of atoms. As it turns out, the accuracy of such estimates was best when information about solids was used in calculations. Since solids and liquids can only be compressed to a negligible extent, we are at libertyContinue reading “SOLIDS: The Size of Atoms”
SOLIDS: Determining the Mass of a Golden Sphere
Q: Gold has an atomic mass of 197 amu. If a golden sphere has a diameter of 0.10 m, how many atoms does it contain? A: In order to determine what volume ( V ) is occupied by the sphere, we must obtain a value for the sphere’s radius ( r ). Fortunately, the radiusContinue reading “SOLIDS: Determining the Mass of a Golden Sphere”
SOLIDS: The mole and Avogadro’s Number
Imagine a world where dollars can be seen with the naked eye, but pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters are invisible. In this world, you are assigned the task of giving a presentation where, somehow or another, dollars replace pennies as the smallest unit of currency. The relationships between the aforementioned currencies will take on theContinue reading “SOLIDS: The mole and Avogadro’s Number”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 