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”
Tag Archives: Solids
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 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”
HEAT AND THERMAL ENERGY: Thermal Expansion of Solids and Liquids.
The subatomic structure of solids and liquids have a profound influence upon how they react to a transfer of thermal energy. Solids have a relatively fixed or rigid structure, whereas the molecular structure of liquids allows for greater expansion and compression. Measurements have shown that ( in general ) a linear relationship exists between theContinue reading “HEAT AND THERMAL ENERGY: Thermal Expansion of Solids and Liquids.”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 