SUMMARY
The human femur can withstand a compressive force of approximately 51,000,000 Newtons before breaking, based on its compressive strength of 170 x 10^6 N/m² and a minimum effective cross-sectional area of 3.0 cm². The cross-sectional area is calculated as 0.0003 m², which is derived from converting 3.0 cm² to square meters. The formula used for this calculation is Stress = F/A, where A represents the cross-sectional area of the femur.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of compressive strength in materials
- Familiarity with basic physics equations, specifically Stress = F/A
- Knowledge of unit conversions, particularly between cm² and m²
- Basic geometry concepts related to cross-sectional areas
NEXT STEPS
- Research the properties of bone materials, focusing on compressive strength
- Explore advanced calculations involving stress and strain in biological tissues
- Learn about the biomechanics of human bones and their load-bearing capabilities
- Investigate the impact of various factors on bone strength, such as age and health
USEFUL FOR
Students studying biology or biomechanics, medical professionals interested in orthopedics, and researchers focusing on material strength in biological systems.