Rubber is more elastic than steel due to its non-Hookean properties, which allow it to undergo significant deformation without permanent change. Steel, while elastic in its own right, adheres to Hooke's Law within its elastic limit, meaning it returns to its original shape after stress is removed but has a lower elasticity compared to rubber. The discussion highlights the fundamental differences in material behavior under stress, emphasizing that rubber's molecular structure contributes to its superior elasticity.
PREREQUISITESMaterial scientists, engineers, students studying physics or materials science, and anyone interested in the properties of elastic materials.