What is the reason behind the stress being zero when stretching a rod?

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When stretching a rod with equal and opposite forces, the total external force is zero, indicating the rod is in equilibrium. Despite the equilibrium state, internal forces still exist within the rod, leading to internal stress. The stress is calculated as the internal force divided by the area, which is not zero even though the net external force is zero. A Free Body Diagram illustrates that internal forces produce stress on any section of the rod. Therefore, while the external stress appears zero, internal stress is present due to the forces acting within the material.
ajayguhan
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I know that I'm wrong but couldn't find where I'm

Stress=internal force /area

When the body is in equilibrium, force applied equals internal force.therefore stress=force applied/area
Let us stretch a rod by two equal and opposite force.,say f and -f...thus total force is zero

Stress= force applied/area
Stress=0 , since total force applied is zero

When we stretch a rod, there is a stress. How come it came zero for me...?



Thanks in advance.
 
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The net external force acting on the rod is zero, therefore, the rod is in equilibrium and is not moving (or moving at constant velocity), in accordance with Newton's First Law.

Now draw a Free Body Diagram of a piece of the rod, by pictorially cutting it say down the middle and examining the force acting on the cut end. Since the piece of the rod is also not moving, the net force on that cut piece must also be zero, and thus the force on the cut end must also be F, again in accordance with Newton's first law. This is an internal force, producing an internal stress F/A on that cut section, or any section of the rod.
 
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