Tensile strength question

In summary, tensile strength is a measure of a material's ability to withstand pulling forces without breaking or deforming. It is typically measured in units of force per unit area and is tested by applying a pulling force to a sample of the material until it breaks. Various factors such as material type, quality, and environmental conditions can affect tensile strength. It is different from yield strength, which is the amount of force required to permanently deform a material. Tensile strength is important in materials science as it helps determine a material's suitability for different applications.
  • #1
benhorris
21
0
Having a bit of a problem with this question,

Find the minimum diameter of an alloy cable, tensile strength 75 MPa, needed to support a load of 15 kN.

I know the answer is 1.6cm but i need someone to help explain how to get it.

Ive got this far...

Tensile strength of cable = 75 MPa = 75 000 000 Newtons per square meter
= 7.5 x 10^7 m^-2
The weight material required to hold = 15kN = 15 000 N
 
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  • #2
Look at the units.

Tensile Strength is a measure of stress, or force per unit area.
 

What is tensile strength?

Tensile strength is a measure of a material's ability to withstand a pulling force without breaking or deforming. It is typically measured in units of force per unit area, such as pounds per square inch or megapascals.

How is tensile strength tested?

Tensile strength is typically tested by applying a pulling force to a sample of the material until it breaks. The maximum force applied before the material breaks is then divided by the cross-sectional area of the sample to determine the tensile strength.

What factors affect tensile strength?

Tensile strength can be affected by various factors, such as the type and quality of the material, its composition, processing methods, and environmental conditions. For example, high temperatures can weaken some materials and reduce their tensile strength.

What is the difference between tensile strength and yield strength?

Tensile strength is the maximum amount of force a material can withstand before breaking, while yield strength is the amount of force required to permanently deform the material. In other words, yield strength is the point at which a material begins to change shape under stress, whereas tensile strength is the point of failure.

Why is tensile strength important in materials science?

Tensile strength is an important property to consider in materials science because it helps determine a material's suitability for different applications. Materials with high tensile strength are often used in structural components, while materials with lower tensile strength may be more suitable for non-load bearing applications.

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