Calculating Stretching of a Wire: 2.5m Long

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In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of how much a wire will stretch when a 4.5 kg mass is hung from it, given its length, cross-sectional area, and Young's modulus. The individual asking the question sets up the equation correctly and the respondent confirms the correctness of the calculation, with the addition of a conversion factor. The final result is 2.21 x 10^-4 meters.
  • #1
naeblis
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hi i was wondering if i did this correctly.

Q: A wire 2.5m long has a cross-sectional area of 2.5 mm^2. It is hung vertically and a 4.5 kg mass is hungfrom it. Byhow much does the wire stretch if Young's modulus for that material is 2.0 x 10^11 N/m^2 ?

so i did Y = ( F / A ) / ( del L / L )

2.0 x 10 ^ 11 N/m^2 = (( 4.5 kg * 9.81 m / s^2 ) / (0.0025 m^2)) / ( del L / 2.5 )

delta L = ((4.5 kg)(9.81 m/s^2)(2.5m))/((.0025m^2)(2x10^11 N / m^2))
= 2.21 x 10 ^ -7 meters
 
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  • #2
You set it up correctly. Assuming your arithemetic is right you got it.

-Dale
 
  • #3
1 mm = 10^(-3) m
1 mm² = 10^(-6) m²
2.5 mm² = 2.5*10^(-6) m²

Apart from that, your working is fine. Just multiply your answer by 1000.
 
  • #4
Oops, I missed that. Quite correct Fermat.

-Dale
 

1. How do you calculate the stretching of a wire?

To calculate the stretching of a wire, you need to know the original length of the wire, the force applied to it, and the wire's cross-sectional area. The formula for calculating stretching is: Stretching (in meters) = (Force (in Newtons) * Length (in meters)) / (Cross-sectional area (in square meters) * Young's modulus (in pascals)).

2. What is Young's modulus?

Young's modulus, also known as the elastic modulus, is a measure of the stiffness of a material. It is a constant that relates the stress (force per unit area) applied to a material to the resulting strain (change in length or shape) of the material.

3. How do you determine the cross-sectional area of a wire?

The cross-sectional area of a wire can be determined by measuring the wire's diameter and using the formula for the area of a circle: Cross-sectional area (in square meters) = π * (Diameter (in meters)/2)², where π is the mathematical constant pi.

4. Can stretching be calculated for all types of wires?

Stretching can be calculated for most types of wires, as long as their properties (such as Young's modulus) are known. However, the formula may differ depending on the type of wire (e.g. solid wire, hollow tube) and the type of force applied (e.g. tensile, compressive).

5. How accurate are the results of the stretching calculation?

The accuracy of the stretching calculation depends on the accuracy of the measurements of the wire's length, force, and cross-sectional area, as well as the accuracy of the values used for Young's modulus. Additionally, factors such as temperature and material defects can also affect the accuracy of the results. Therefore, it is important to use precise and reliable measurements and values in the calculation.

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