What does a stress-strain curve for a metal look like and what does each part mean?

Stress is force divided by area, this is plotted on the y axis. Strain is extension divided by original length, this is plotted on the x axis. In the process of recording data to plot a stress-strain curve, the metal is stretched until it breaks.The first part of the graph is linear, this represents the elastic region. In the elastic region, stress and strain are proportional, Hooke's Law will apply and Young's Modulus of the metal can be calculated. At the end of the linear region, yield stress is reached and the material starts to act plastically. The graph curves because stress and strain are no longer proportional. Ultimate tensile strength is reached at the maximum of the graph and then the graph ends when the material breaks.Extension for students who understood adequately: Explanation of the unloading graph and hysteresis loops.

IH
Answered by Isobel H. Physics tutor

2459 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

I have an infinite number of glass blocks stacked side by side. The first block has refractive index n1, the second n2 and so on, such that n1<n2...<n(infinity). I shine a light on the stack, what angle does the ray make to the normal on the last block?


An electrical heater supplies 500J of heat energy to a copper cylinder of mass 32.4g Find the increase in temperature of the cylinder. (Specific heat capacity of copper = 385 J*kg^-1*Celsius^-1


How would you prove the formula for the total capacitance of a system consisting of several capacitors linked in series?


In a fluorescent tube, how are the atoms in the tube excited?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning