Deformation & Compression (OCR AS Physics): Revision Note

Deformation & Compression

• Forces don’t just change the motion of a body, but can change the size and shape of them too

  • This is known as deformation

• Forces in opposite directions stretch or compress a body

  • When two forces stretch a body, they are described as tensile

  • When two forces compress a body, they are known as compressive

Diagram of tensile and compressive forces

• When a force (load) is applied to a spring, it produces a tensile force and causes the spring to extend

• When a force is applied in the opposite direction, the spring compresses

Stretching a spring with a load produces a force that leads to an extension