Tensile Stress: Definition, Formula, Unit, Difference

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Shekhar Suman

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The tensile stress is the resistance of the object which forces tear it apart. It is calculated highest tension endured by highest tension ensured by the object without tearing. And it is measured in the Newtons/mm2. It is defined as the magnitude of the force applied with the elastic rod, which is divided into the cross-sectional area of the rod in a direction perpendicular to the applied force. 

Also check: Potential Energy


Tensile Stress

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The tensile stress is a quantity related to the tensile forces. It is responsible for the elongation of the material with an axis of the applied load. The example of tensile stress is Connecting rods, elevator cable etc. Tensile stress is also called tension. This accelerates the corrosion process. leads to intergranular corrosion and intergranular stress-induced corrosion cracking of steel.

Elastic modulus: Ratio of the stress and strains when deformation is formed. The stress-strain curve is used to measure the elastic modulus.

Ultimate Tensile Stress- It shows the maximum amount of stress that material withstands when force applies.

Modulus of resilience: Ratio between tensile stress and two times the young’s modulus of the material.

Fracture stress: It shows the maximum amount of stress felt in crack points.

The stress force per unit area of the material:

Tensile Stress = Force / Cross-sectional Area

The tensile stress is also known as longitudinal stress. In this case, we saw a change in the length of the cylinder. For small deformation, stress is directly related to the strain of many materials. This shows in hooks laws, the three elastic modules that are young, shear modulus, and bulk modules used to describe the elastic behaviour of the object.

Let see the three elastics one by one:

Young’s modules - It contains two long straight wires of the same length and radius also is equally suspended by side by side from a fixed rigid support. The young modules of the materials of the experimental wire given by the 

Y σ ε = 2. Mg L πr ΔL

= Mg × L/(πr2 × ΔL)

Shear Modulus - The ratio of the stress related to the shearing stress is called the shear modulus of the material and is represented by G. it is also called a modulus of the rigidity.

G= shearing stress (σs)/shearing strain

G = (F/A)/(Δx/L) = (F × L)/(A × Δx)

G = (F/A)/θ = F/(A × θ)

It expresses as a σs = G × θ

Also check: Optical Instruments

The shear modulus common material is-

MATERIAL G(GPa)
Aluminium 25
Copper 42
Brass 36
Glass 23
Iron 70
lead 5.6
Nickel 77
Steel 84
tungsten 150
wood 10

Bulk Modulus - The ratio of hydraulic stress to the corresponding hydraulic strain is called bulk modulus. It is denoted by symbol B. B = – p/(ΔV/V).

The Bulk modules common materials are-

Material Solids B (109 N m–2 or GPa)
Aluminium 72
Brass 61
Copper 140
Iron 100
Nickel 260
Steel 160
glass 37
Liquids
Water 2.2
Ethanol 0.9
Carbon disulphide 1.56
Glycerine 4.76
Mercury 25
Gases
Air 1.0 × 10–4

Tensile Stress Unit

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UNIT Nm-2
SI UNIT Pascal
DIMENSIONAL FROMULA ML-1T2

Different between tensile stress and tensile strength

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Tensile stress Tensile strength
The tensile stress is a resistance of an object to force that tear apart. It is a quantity related to the tensile forces The tensile strength is an amount of the tensile stress material withstand before breaking and denoted by S.
The formula of the tensile stress is:  σ = F/A The formula of the tensile strength is:  s = P/a.

Things to Remember

  • The tensile stress is a resistance of an object to force that tear apart.
  • Tensile Stress is defined as Force / Cross-sectional Area.
  • The formula of the tensile stress is: σ = F/A
  • The unit of the tensile stress is: Nm-2.
  • The SI Unit of tensile stress is: Pascal.
  • Example of tensile stress: Connecting rods, elevator cable etc.

Also check: Reflection of Light by Spherical Mirrors


Sample Questions

Ques. What are causes of the tensile stress? (1 mark)

Ans.: the main reason for tensile stress is pulling the materials, Residual cold work, Welding, Thermal treatment, Grinding.

Ques. Does length affect tensile stress? (1 mark)

Ans.: When longer specimen more than numerous the 30- inch segment and a large probability of generating low tensile strength value.

Ques. What is the difference between tensile stress and tensile strain? (1 mark)

Ans.: The main difference between both tensile stresses is the force exerted per unit cross-section area on the object. Tensile strain shows that per unit extension of the original length.

Ques. Where does tensile stress occur? (1 mark)

Ans.: Mostly tensile stress occurs on the side of the object in the direction of the force.

Ques. When the tensile stress is maximum? (1 mark)

Ans.: The applied load by the cross-sectional area is maximum tensile stress.

Ques. How do you calculate stress in a tensile test? (1 mark)

Ans.: The tensile stress force is measured by diving sample cross-sectional area (σ = F/A)

Also check:

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    A charged particle $+q$ in an electric field $\vec{E}$ experiences a force in the direction of the electric field. As a result, its kinetic energy changes. Similarly, the charged particle also experiences a force when it moves in a magnetic field $\vec{B}$. But this magnetic force is perpendicular to both velocity $\vec{v}$ of the charged particle and the magnetic field $\vec{B}$, so it cannot change the kinetic energy of the charged particle. Consider two charged particles 1 and 2 of masses $m$ and $\frac{m}{2}$ having charges $-q$ and $+2q$ respectively. They are accelerated from rest through the same potential difference $V$ and acquire kinetic energy $K_1$ and $K_2$. Then they enter in a region of uniform magnetic field $\vec{B}$ perpendicular to their velocities.


      • 2.
        This ‘average velocity’ is found be few mm/s for currents in range of a few amperes. How then is current established almost the instant a circuit is closed ?


          • 3.
            Two metal spheres of radii $r_1$ and $r_2$ ($> r_1$) having charges $q_1$ and $q_2$ respectively kept in air, are brought in contact. Which of the following statements is not correct ?

              • The total charge of the two spheres is conserved.
              • Both spheres attain the same potential.
              • The final potential of the system equals $\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2)}{(r_1 + r_2)}$
              • The final potential of the system equals $\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2) (r_1 + r_2)}{r_1 r_2}$

            • 4.
              Consider the nuclear reaction \( X \to Y + Z \). Let \( M_x \), \( M_y \), and \( M_z \) be the masses of the three nuclei X, Y, and Z respectively. Then which of the following relations hold true?

                • \( (M_x - M_z)<M_y \)
                • \( (M_x - M_y)<M_z \)
                • \( M_x>(M_y + M_z) \)
                • \( M_x<(M_y + M_z) \)

              • 5.
                Two air-filled capacitors of capacitances $C_1$ and $C_2$ are connected in parallel with a dc battery. After the capacitors are fully charged, a slab of dielectric constant K is inserted between the plates of each capacitor. How will the (i) charge on each capacitor and (ii) energy stored in the capacitor affected after the slab is introduced.


                  • 6.
                    The resistance of a metal wire at \( 20^\circ \text{C} \) is \( 1.05 \, \Omega \) and at \( 100^\circ \text{C} \) is \( 1.38 \, \Omega \). Determine the temperature coefficient of resistivity of this metal.

                      CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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