ConceptConceptDocsDocuments

CAIE A-Level Physics 6.2.1 Elastic and Plastic Deformation

Practise distinguishing elastic recovery, plastic deformation and the elastic limit from force-extension graphs and responses after removing the load.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Physics 9702
Level
AS

Exam points

  • distinguish elastic deformation, plastic deformation and the elastic limit from the object’s response after the load is removed
  • identify elastic, plastic and limiting behaviour from a force–extension graph or an experimental description
  • explain how exceeding the elastic limit changes the relationship between load and deformation

6.2.1—The terms elastic deformation, plastic deformation and elastic limit question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

One end of a wire is attached to a fixed point. A force F is applied to the wire to cause extension x. The variation with F of x is shown in Fig. 5.1.

Fig. 5.1

Fig. 5.1

The wire has a cross-sectional area of 4.1×10−7 m24.1 \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{~m}^{2} and is made of metal of Young modulus 1.7×1011 Pa1.7 \times 10^{11} \mathrm{~Pa}. Assume that the cross-sectional area of the wire remains constant as the wire extends.

A force of greater than 45 N is now applied to the wire.

Describe how it may be checked that the elastic limit of the wire has not been exceeded.

All question bank results loaded