Young's Modulus for Two Materials connected

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the change in length for two materials, aluminum and steel, that are connected in a rod under tension. The original poster presents a scenario where the aluminum section is twice as long as the steel section, and the total change in length of the rod is specified as 1mm.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive a relationship between the forces and changes in length for both materials using Young's modulus. They express uncertainty about the applied force and the area of the rod. Other participants suggest that the force is equal throughout the rod and propose setting equations equal to each other to simplify the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different approaches to relate the forces and changes in length. Some guidance has been offered regarding the equality of stress across the rod, and the need to consider the total change in length and the ratio of the original lengths of the materials.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of specific values for the applied force and the area of the rod, which are critical for further calculations. The original poster is working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may impose additional rules or limitations on their approach.

thursdaytbs
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If Aluminum and steel are connected as one rod, and are attached to the wall and is pulled upon. How would the change in length for each material of the rod be calculated? I'm given that the Aluminum section is twice as long as the steel section, and the total change in length of the whole rod is 1mm.

So far, I've said:
F = Y(delta-L / L-naught)A + Y(delta-L / L-naught)A
*Where, the first part is for Aluminum, and the Second part is for Steel.

Manipulating this equation I got:

(2Fx)/A = (6.9E10)(delta-Laluminum) + (4E11)(delta-Lsteel)
and, delta-Aluminum + delta-steel = 0.001m
*where x = the length of steel, therefore aluminum = 2x.

This is where I'm stuck. I dont' know the Force applied, or the Area of the rod. What can i do? Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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OK another thing I've thought up is saying...

F = Y(delta-Laluminum / L-naught)A
and
F = Y(delta-Lsteel / L-naught)A

since force is equal throughout?

Then set the two equations equal to one another, where A cancels out?

Can anyone confirm this is a way of doing it?
 
Looks good to me. The stress (F/A) is the same throughout the rod. You'll also need to use the other facts given regarding total change in length and the ratio of the two original lengths.
 
awsome, thanks a lot.
 

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