Finding the change in length of a nylon string

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the change in length of a nylon tennis string under tension. The original poster provides specific values for tension, diameter, and Young's modulus, and seeks to determine the elongation from its untensioned length.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the formula for elongation, questioning the units of Young's modulus and the correctness of their calculations. There are attempts to verify the results and clarify the expected units for the final answer.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, checking calculations and discussing the appropriateness of their results. Some guidance has been offered regarding the expected magnitude of the change in length, and there is a focus on ensuring the final answer is in the correct units.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the homework platform's strict requirements for answer formatting, which may influence how participants present their results.

tjohn101
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Homework Statement


A nylon tennis string on a racket is under a tension of 225 N. If its diameter is 0.97 mm, by how much is it lengthened from its untensioned length of 29.6 cm?

Li= 29.6cm =.296 m
r= 4.85e-4 m
A= 7.389811319e-7
F= 225 N
E= Young's Modulus for Nylon= 5 x 10^9
Solving for deltaL

Homework Equations


A=pi(r)^2
F= E (delta L/Li) A

The Attempt at a Solution


I've found the area and tried using the equation above but did not get a correct answer. I may well have messed up the calculations because that equation confuses me a little and I seem to be algebraically challenged this fine morning.
All my incorrect answers so far are:
14.5e-8 cm
7.470483757e-8 cm
14.506204362e-7 cm
7.470483757e-6 cm (the last three answers came from the equation above)

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
 
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\Delta L = \frac{FL}{AE}


what units are E in?
 
rock.freak667 said:
\Delta L = \frac{FL}{AE}


what units are E in?

I've been trying to find the equation in latex... :/ E is in N/m^2.
 
tjohn101 said:
I've been trying to find the equation in latex... :/ E is in N/m^2.

I was just checking to see what units the value of E you quoted were in.

But try plugging the number back in and checking again, you aren't supposed to get such small changes in length.
 
rock.freak667 said:
I was just checking to see what units the value of E you quoted were in.

But try plugging the number back in and checking again, you aren't supposed to get such small changes in length.

Okay I plugged everything into it and got an answer but I need to be sure it's right. I only have one more try. :/ Would the answer be 1.802481745?

PS: I love your signature. Makes everything so much simpler. : )
 
tjohn101 said:
Okay I plugged everything into it and got an answer but I need to be sure it's right. I only have one more try. :/ Would the answer be 1.802481745?

If you mean 1.8025 cm, then I believe so as that looks better than 14.506204362x10-7 cm
 
rock.freak667 said:
If you mean 1.8025 cm, then I believe so as that looks better than 14.506204362x10-7 cm

Where did that answer come from? And sorry about the long numbers. My homework website is extremely picky
 
tjohn101 said:
Where did that answer come from? And sorry about the long numbers. My homework website is extremely picky

1.802481745 what unit is this in?

for the other number, I just quoted one of your above answers.
 
rock.freak667 said:
1.802481745 what unit is this in?

for the other number, I just quoted one of your above answers.

Centimeters. The final answer is supposed to be in centimeters so I multiplied the answer from the equation by 100.

Oh yeah I forgot about that one. :/ That was early this morning.
 
  • #10
tjohn101 said:
Centimeters. The final answer is supposed to be in centimeters so I multiplied the answer from the equation by 100.

Oh yeah I forgot about that one. :/ That was early this morning.

then 1.802481745cm should be it.
 
  • #11
rock.freak667 said:
then 1.802481745cm should be it.

That it is! Thank you very much for your help, sir.
 

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