Stretching Materials (Edexcel International AS Physics): Exam Questions

Two different springs, ${\mathrm{S}}_1$ and ${\mathrm{S}}_2$, are suspended from a fixed support. Masses are attached to the bottom of ${\mathrm{S}}_1$ and ${\mathrm{S}}_2$ as shown.

The extension of ${\mathrm{S}}_1$ is $x$, and the extension of ${\mathrm{S}}_2$ is $\frac{x}{3}$. The elastic strain energy in spring ${\mathrm{S}}_1$ is $E$.

Which of the following is the elastic strain energy in spring ${\mathrm{S}}_2$?

A compressive force F is applied to an object made of a material with Young modulus E. The original length of the object in the direction of the force is x, and its cross‐sectional area is A.

Which expression gives the length of the object after the force is applied?

A copper rod was placed under tensile stress and the tensile strain in the rod was measured.

The graph shows how the tensile stress required to cause a tensile strain in the rod depends upon the tensile strain.

What does point X represent?

A wire of length $L$ and diameter $d$ extends by $x$ when a force $F$ is applied.

The wire is replaced with a second wire of the same material, of length $3L$ and diameter $\frac{d}{2}$. The same force $F$ is applied to the second wire.

What is the extension of the second wire?

Two identical springs are arranged in series.

When a force of $6.0\text{ N}$ is applied to a single spring, it extends by a distance of $40\text{ mm}$.

A force of $12.0\text{ N}$ is applied to the series combination, as shown.

Which expression gives the total elastic strain energy stored in the two springs in J?

A rubber cord is stretched and then gradually released until it returns to its original length. The force–extension graph for this process is shown.

The area labelled X is between the loading and unloading curves. The area labelled Y is between the unloading curve and the horizontal axis.

Which of the following gives the work done on the cord while it is being stretched up to its maximum extension?