Draw and describe the major points of a typical stress-strain graph for a metal.

There are five major points on a typical metal's stress-strain graph. The first is the limit of proportionality. Prior to this point, the stress strain graph tends to be a straight line, and the Young's modulus can hence be found up to this point. After this, the material no longer follows Hooke's law, but still stretches elastically, and would return to its original shape, until the second major point, the elastic limit. After this point, the material no long returns to its original shape when stretched, and now deforms plastically. The next point is the yield point, where the internal atomic structure of the material breaks down, and there is hence a large amount of extension for minimal stress increase. The fourth point is then the ultimate tensile stress (UTS), which is the maximum stress a material sample can withstand overall. The final point is the point of breaking stress or fracture, where the material can no longer sustain any more increases in stress and breaks, and is where the graph ends.

Answered by Physics tutor

3175 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do gravitational fields around point masses obey an inverse square law?


Explain the difference between the direction of the conventional current and the direction of electron flow.


What is the stress in a cylindrical rod of 10.0cm diameter when loaded by 50.0N force at each end?


A particle of mass 5kg is moving in circular motion with a time period of 2 seconds. The radius of the circle is 10m. What is the centripetal force on the particle


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning