Please describe elastic hysteresis in plain English

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SUMMARY

Elastic hysteresis refers to the phenomenon where the loading and unloading curves of a material, such as a rubber band, diverge due to energy loss, typically in the form of heat. This indicates that the system's prior history affects its current behavior, contrary to the notion of perfect elasticity where no energy is lost. The discussion highlights the confusion surrounding the definition and emphasizes the importance of understanding the strain vs. stress relationship in materials exhibiting hysteresis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly stress and strain.
  • Familiarity with material properties, specifically elasticity.
  • Knowledge of energy loss mechanisms in materials.
  • Ability to interpret strain vs. stress curves.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of hysteresis in materials science.
  • Study the strain vs. stress curve for different materials, focusing on rubber bands.
  • Explore energy loss mechanisms in elastic materials.
  • Watch educational videos on elastic hysteresis, such as those from MIT OpenCourseWare.
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Students and professionals in physics, materials science, and engineering who seek a clear understanding of elastic hysteresis and its implications in material behavior.

j-e_c
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I've tried looking on various websites to find a definition I can understand but every website describes it differently, even the online dictionaries. I have also tried looking in my Y&F University Physics. I just don't <i>understand</i> what elastic hysteresis is because most descriptions don't explain physical processes.

Thank you.
 
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For a rubber band, "elastic hysteresis" means the the strain vs. stress curve is the same on contraction as it was on extension.
 
clem said:
For a rubber band, "elastic hysteresis" means the the strain vs. stress curve is the same on contraction as it was on extension.
Nope, that's the opposite.
Elastic hysteresis is in fact the phenomenon in which the system's prior history, so as to speak, influences the behaviour. For a rubber band, the loading and unloading curves diverge due to hysteresis loss (energy loss in form of heat for example).
http://www.revisionworld.co.uk/files/strain_33.gif
 
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I guess I misinterpreted the question. In usual terms "elastic" means no loss of energy.
I still don't know in which sense it was used here.
 
Watch this, maybe you'll get a feel for it.

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-02Electricity-and-MagnetismSpring2002/VideoAndCaptions/detail/embed22.htm
 
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