Stress and elongation problem

  • Thread starter BrainMan
  • Start date
  • #1
BrainMan
279
2

Homework Statement


Two wires are made of the same metal but have different dimensions. Wire 1 is 4 times longer and twice the diameter of wire 2. If they are both under the same load, compare (a) the stresses in the two wires and (b) the elongations of the two wires.

Homework Equations


stress = F/A
elongation = ΔL/L

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
For the first part I did
F/A
F/((x/2)^2*3.14)
2F/3.14x^2

F/A
F/((x/4)^2*3.14)
16F/3.14x^2

So it should be that the thinner wire experiences 8 times as much stress as the thicker wire. However the correct answer is that the thinner wire experiences 4 times as much stress.
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
PhanthomJay
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Gold Member
7,179
514
You forgot to square the 2 in your first equation .
Elongation is change in length. You have written the equation for strain.
 
  • #3
BrainMan
279
2
You forgot to square the 2 in your first equation .
Elongation is change in length. You have written the equation for strain.
Ok I figured it out. Thanks!
 

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