Topic Menu

Cyber-chess a chess instruction site

The Young Modulus (E) - the modulus of elasticity

The Young Modulus is named after Thomas Young (1773 to 1829) who was a British polymath, contributing to our understanding of optics, physiology, and Egyptology, among other fields

The Young Modulus is also known as Young's Modulus or the elastic modulus or tensile modulus.

It is a measure of the stiffness of a material that is independent of the particular sample of a substance. That means a generic value can be given for a material without its dimensions being known (like the values given for resistivity).

It is the ratio of tensile stress (force/cross sectional area) to tensile strain (extension/ original length) - don't forget to put the word 'tensile' into any definition you give in an exam - it will lose you marks!

N.B. AQA no longer expect you to know the symbols for these values.

The unit will therefore be the same as the unit of pressure (Pa or N/m2)

 

Quantity

Equation

Symbol

Units

Stress

tension/cross sectional area

= F / A

(sigma)

N m-2 = Pa

Strain

extension per original length

= L/L

(epsilon)

no units (because it’s a ratio of two lengths)

Young Modulus

stress/strain

E

N m-2 = Pa

 

Strain values can be expressed in several ways: as a percentage - %, or in decimal form. E.g. a 5% strain = 0.05

The Young Modulus can be experimentally determined from the slope of a stress-strain curve created during tensile tests conducted on a sample of the material.

The value of the Young's Modulus is quoted in scientific data manuals for various materials but the value given is only approximate. This is because Young's Modulus can vary considerably depending on the exact composition of the material. For example, the value for most metals can vary by 5% or more, depending on the precise composition of the alloy and any heat treatment applied during manufacture.

If a big force only produces a small extension then the material is 'stiff' and E is a big value.

If a force produces a big extension then the material is not very stiff - it is easier to stretch and the value of E will be smaller.

Click here to find out about the difference between brittle, plastic and ductile behaviour.

Click here to see notes on an experiment to determine the Young Modulus.