Application of Elastic Behavior of Solids

You will see how a stretched rubber band returns to its natural shape after you lose it. Consider bending an aluminium rod with just your hands or arm strength. Is it possible to bring the rubber back to its natural position? When it comes to solids, some people may struggle to understand the idea of elasticity.

Elasticity refers to a material’s capacity to maintain its original state rather than a change under stress. The elasticity and plasticity of a substance are its distinguishing characteristics. The elastic behaviour of solids and applications of elasticity in daily life are discussed in this article.

What Does Elasticity Mean?

Elasticity was explained as a property of solid bodies that allows them to return to their maiden form. For example, consider a spring with one end suspended from a pole or stick at one point and the opposite side free. When I extend this free end, the spring begins to vibrate from one end to another. The stored energy held inside it is converted to kinetic energy; because the object spring can be classified as solid; therefore, a slight gap between the consecutive atoms is present.

They want to return to their lattice points as a vital force that attracts them to each other. This force of attraction creates an attracting interatomic pressure. This immediately causes the spring to be brought back to its normal state by a re-energizing staff working in the alternative direction of the force applied. As a result, the body’s condition returns to its original shape. For this condition, elasticity is an example.

About the Elastic Behaviour of Solids

In the three phases of matter, solids are made up of many molecules or atoms arranged in a specific pattern. Because of the forces acting on neighbouring molecules, each molecule is affected. The solids are shaped so that each molecule is in a state of stable equilibrium. 

After the force is removed, the external force stretches rigid bodies; they return to their original shape. It signifies they’ve reached a point where they can’t go any further. As a result, the body resists changes until the elastic limit is reached.

We can also conclude that the human body is fully elastic. The solids’ microscopic nature can determine the elastic behaviour of solids.

Elastic Behaviour of Solids

Inside a solid body, the atoms or molecules are displaced from their fixed or lattice points (equilibrium positions) when deformed, resulting in a shift in interatomic and intermolecular distances. Because of the interatomic force’s return to its natural work. That’s why the body returns to its natural shape.

Mechanical Properties

Three mechanical characteristics explain the elastic behaviour of solids.

• Deformation: Stress is changing the shape of a solid due to force.
• Deforming force: Deforming force is an external force that causes the material’s condition.
• Restoring force: Restoring force acts in the opposite direction of the deforming force, assisting the solid in resuming its original shape after the external force has been withdrawn. For example, the deforming force is used to stretch the rubber band, and the restoring force is used to restore the band’s extended shape and return it to its original location.
• Plasticity: Plasticity is the incapacity of a substance to return to its previous shape and size after the force has been removed, unlike an elastic body.
• Stress: The proportion of the internal force produced when a substance is deformed to the area over which that force acts is called stress. The formula for stress in a state of equilibrium is stress = F/A, where force equals the magnitude of the external force.
• Strain: the strain is the proportion of the change in form or size to the real shape of the strain. There are no dimensions to it.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Solids

Solids are compact, implying that the constituent particles are packed near one another, leaving little room between them.

Solids have a constant mass, volume, and shape, resulting in a compact arrangement of constituent particles.

Solids are rigid and unyielding. It is due to a lack of space between the constituent particles, resulting in a hard or fixed state.

Molecules have a short distance between them. As a result, the force between constituent particles (atoms, molecules, or ions) is enormous.

The system’s particles can only move around their mean positions.

A solid’s melting point is based on the strength of its constituents’ interactions: In a higher melting point, the interaction gets stronger.

Important Points on Elastic Behaviour of Solids

Elasticity is a property of matter or a body that allows it to return to its original configuration. Let’s try an experiment to see what we’re talking about: 

We may see a change in the shape and size of a rubber band when we stretch it. When the band is released, the rubber returns to its original length. In this rubber band case, the deforming force is the force applied. As a result, the restoration force is the force that returns the extended body to its original shape and dimensions.

What is the Reason for This?

Solids are made up of atoms with varying degrees of atomic flexibility (or molecules). Interatomic forces keep them in balance since other atoms of the same type surround them. Because of its deformation, these particles are moved when a force is applied to the solid. Interatomic interactions are the main cause of the atoms returning to their former state of equilibrium by removing the deforming force. Elasticity is an idealisation until no substance is completely elastic.

Application of Elastic Behaviour of Solids

Elastic materials can be employed in situations where they will be used for an extended time.

There are some of the uses for elastic materials:

The construction of bridges, beams, columns, and pillars: when constructing these materials, a thorough understanding of the strength of the components is essential.

Crane construction: Cranes are used to lift loads. As a result, significant care is necessary to ensure that the rope’s extension does not exceed the rope’s elastic limit.

It is essential to understand the elastic behaviour of materials utilised in engineering.

Bridges are constructed to not break under heavy traffic weight due to extreme wind power.

The machinery’s metallic parts are constructed so that when they are stressed beyond their elastic limit, they become permanently distorted.

Conclusion

In summary, a solid’s ability to regain shape and size after being subjected to stress and pressure is determined by its elastic behaviour. Deforming force, restoring force, strain, and plasticity are all elements that influence the elastic behaviour of solids. 

The elastic characteristics of materials are affected by temperature—elasticity increases as the temperature drops and decreases as the temperature rises. The presence of impurities causes differences in the elastic characteristics of the materials. 

The amount of elasticity it gains or loses is determined by the exposed impurity. These are all properties and critical considerations to keep in mind while dealing with solids’ elastic behaviour.