Q.Figure 8.9 shows the strain-stress curve for a given material. What are
Concept understanding — Youngs Modulus
Young’s Modulus: The Stretchiness of a Solid
When you pull on a rubber band, it stretches easily. When you pull on a steel rod of the same size, it barely moves. Both are elastic — they return to their original shape when you let go — but they resist stretching very differently. Young’s modulus is the number that tells you exactly how much a material resists being stretched or compressed lengthwise.
The Intuition: Stiffness per Unit Size
Think of a spring. A stiff spring requires a large force to stretch it a little. A soft spring stretches a lot with a small force. Young’s modulus is like the “stiffness” of a material, but it’s cleverly designed to be independent of the object’s shape and size.
If you take a thick steel rod and a thin steel wire of the same length, the rod is harder to stretch. That’s because you’re pulling on more material. Young’s modulus removes this size effect — it tells you the stiffness of the material itself, not the particular piece you’re holding.
The Precise Definition
Young’s modulus (E or Y) is defined as the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain, as long as the material obeys Hooke’s law (the deformation is reversible and proportional to the force).
Y=Tensile StrainTensile Stress
Let’s break down the two parts.
Tensile Stress (σ) is the force per unit area. If you pull with a force F on a rod of cross-sectional area A, the stress is:
σ=AF
Stress has units of pressure — pascals (Pa) or N/m2. It tells you how “intense” the pulling is, regardless of the rod’s thickness.
Tensile Strain (ε) is the fractional change in length. If the original length is L0 and it stretches by ΔL, the strain is:
ε=L0ΔL
Strain is a pure number — it has no units. A strain of 0.01 means the rod stretched by 1% of its original length.
Putting it together:
Y=ΔL/L0F/A=AΔLFL0
What the Number Tells You
A high Young’s modulus means the material is very stiff — it takes a huge stress to produce even a tiny strain. Steel has Y≈200×109 Pa. A low Young’s modulus means the material is easily stretched. Rubber has Y≈0.01×109 Pa — about 20,000 times smaller than steel.
Young’s modulus is only valid in the elastic region — where the material returns to its original shape after the force is removed. If you stretch too far (past the elastic limit), the material deforms permanently or breaks, and Young’s modulus no longer applies.
A Worked Example
A steel wire of length 2.0 m and cross-sectional area 1.0×10−6 m2 is pulled by a force of 100 N. How much does it stretch? (Young’s modulus of steel = 2.0×1011 Pa)
From Y=AΔLFL0, rearrange:
ΔL=AYFL0=(1.0×10−6)×(2.0×1011)100×2.0=2.0×105200=1.0×10−3 m=1.0 mm
The wire stretches by just 1 mm. If you tried the same with a rubber band of the same dimensions (Y≈107 Pa), the stretch would be about 20,000 times larger — 20 metres! (Of course, a real rubber band would break long before that.)
Key Points for Exams
- Young’s modulus is a material property — it doesn’t depend on the object’s length or thickness.
- It applies only to axial (lengthwise) tension or compression, not to bending or twisting.
- The units are the same as pressure: pascals (Pa) or N/m2.
- For most materials, Young’s modulus is the same in tension and compression (within the elastic limit).
Do not confuse Young’s modulus with stiffness (k=F/ΔL). Stiffness depends on the object’s dimensions (k=YA/L0). Young’s modulus is the intrinsic material property; stiffness is the property of a particular object.
"Youngs Modulus important questions" is a common search among CBSE and competitive-exam aspirants alike, since Youngs Modulus sits squarely within the Mechanical Properties of Solids coverage of NCERT Class 11 Physics, so it is fair game for both CBSE board questions and competitive-exam numericals. Pairing this explanation with NCERT Physics textbook practice and previous years' questions is the surest way to lock the concept in before an exam.
The slope of the straight part of the stress-strain graph is Young's modulus, and the stress where the line bends over is the yield strength.
Using a point on the linear region, strain 0.002 with stress 150×106 N m−2: Y=0.002150×106=7.5×1010 N m−2. The curve stops being linear and levels off near a stress of 300×106 N m−2.
- Y≈7.5×1010 N m−2.
- Yield strength ≈3×108 N m−2 (i.e. 300×106 N m−2).
Young's modulus is the slope of the straight (proportional) part of the stress-strain graph, and the yield strength is the stress at which the curve stops being linear and begins to level off. Reading the graph gives Y≈7.5×1010 N m−2 and a yield strength of about 3×108 N m−2.
Concept
In the initial straight portion of a stress-strain curve, stress is proportional to strain (Hooke's law). The constant of proportionality is Young's modulus, Y=strainstress, which equals the slope of that straight line. The yield strength is the stress at the point where the curve departs from the straight line and the material begins to deform permanently.
(a) Young's modulus
Take a point on the straight region: at strain ε=0.002 the stress is σ=150×106 N m−2.
Y=εσ=0.002150×106=7.5×1010 N m−2.
Any other point on the line gives the same value, e.g. 225×106/0.003=7.5×1010.
(b) Yield strength
The curve stays straight up to a strain of about 0.003 and then bends over, flattening near a maximum stress of about 300×106 N m−2. The stress at which this non-linear (plastic) behaviour sets in is the yield strength:
σy≈300×106=3×108 N m−2.
- Y≈7.5×1010 N m−2.
- Approximate yield strength ≈3×108 N m−2 (300×106 N m−2).
Step 1: identify the linear (Hooke's law) portion. Step 2: Y=slope=(150e6)/0.002=7.5e10 N/m^2. Step 3: yield strength read at the point curve stops being straight, ~3e8 N/m^2.
Showing the 12 most recent of 19 on this concept.
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-A1 markMCQQ.A wire, made of a certain material of length-l and area of cross section-a can withstand a maximum load =W without breaking. If, another wire of the same material and crosssectional area is used with double the original length, what will be the maximum load that the wire can withstand, without breaking? (A) Will be halved to 0.5 W (B) Will be doubled to 2 W (C) Remains the same =W (D) Would be four times =4 W
›Reveal solutionSolution
The maximum load a wire can withstand without breaking depends only on its material and cross-sectional area, not on its length. Therefore, doubling the length leaves the maximum load unchanged. The correct option is (C).
The key concept here is tensile strength — the maximum stress a material can endure before breaking. Stress is defined as force per unit area:
σ=AF
For a given material, the breaking stress is a fixed property (assuming no defects). The wire’s length does not appear in this formula. So, if the cross-sectional area stays the same, the maximum force (load) that causes breaking remains the same, regardless of length.
Let’s walk through it step by step:
- Recall the definition of breaking stress The wire breaks when the tensile stress reaches the material’s ultimate tensile strength, σmax.
σmax=aW
Here, W is the maximum load (force) and a is the cross-sectional area. This is the condition for the original wire.
-
Consider the new wire
The new wire is made of the same material (so σmax is identical) and has the same cross-sectional area a. Its length is doubled, but length does not appear in the stress equation.
-
Set up the breaking condition for the new wire
Let the new maximum load be W′. Then:
σmax=aW′
Since σmax is the same as before, we have:
aW=aW′
which simplifies to W′=W.
- Why length doesn’t matter here A common confusion is thinking that a longer wire is “weaker” because it stretches more. However, stretching (strain) is related to the material’s elasticity (Young’s modulus), not its breaking strength. Breaking depends only on stress, not on how much the wire elongates before breaking. The maximum load is a force, and for a given cross-section, the force needed to reach breaking stress is fixed.
Watch outA classic pitfall is to confuse breaking strength with elastic limit or stiffness. A longer wire stretches more under the same load, but that doesn’t mean it breaks at a lower load. The breaking load is determined solely by material and cross-section.
TipThink of it this way: If you have a steel cable of a certain thickness, a 1-meter piece and a 100-meter piece will both snap under the same hanging weight — the longer one just sags more before snapping.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-M1 markMCQQ.A light rod of length 1 m is suspended from ceiling horizontally by means of two vertical wires of equal length tied to its ends. One of the wires is made of material X and is of cross-section 0.1 cm2. and the other of material Y of cross-section 0.3 cm2.A weight is hung from the wire at a point to produce equal strain in the wires. The ratio of Young's moduli of wires A to B is 3:1. The location of the point from one end of the wire is (A) 0.2 m (B) 0.75 m (C) 0.5 m (D) 0.25 m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Equal strain forces equal tension in both wires, so the load hangs at the rod's midpoint, 0.5m from either end.
Setting up the equal-strain condition
Strain in a wire is ε=Ystress=AYF, where F is the tension, A the cross-section and Y Young's modulus.
For equal strain in the two wires:
AXYXFX=AYYYFY
Given AX=0.1cm2, AY=0.3cm2 and YX:YY=3:1:
AXYX=0.1×3=0.3,AYYY=0.3×1=0.3
Since AXYX=AYYY, the equal-strain condition reduces to FX=FY.
Locating the load
Let the weight W hang a distance x from the end carrying wire X on the rod of length L=1m. Force balance gives FX+FY=W, so FX=FY=2W.
Taking torques about the point where wire X is attached:
Wx=FYL=2W×1⇒x=0.5m
The load hangs at the midpoint of the rod.
✓Final answerThe point is 0.5m from one end — option (C).
- KCET 2026Set C21 markMCQQ.There are two wires of same material and same length while the diameter of second wire is two times the diameter of the first wire. Then the ratio of extensions produced in the wires by applying same load will be (A) 1:1 (B) 1:2 (C) 2:1 (D) 4:1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Extension from Young's modulus, e=FL/(AY), depends inversely on cross-sectional area for fixed force, length, and material.
Step 1 — Set up the two wires
Both wires share the same material (same Young's modulus Y), same length L, and the same applied load F. Let wire 1 have diameter d and wire 2 have diameter 2d.
A1=4πd2,A2=4π(2d)2=4(4πd2)=4A1
Step 2 — Compare the extensions
e=AYFL⇒e2e1=A1A2=A14A1=4
So the ratio of extensions in the first wire to the second wire is e1:e2=4:1.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 4:1.
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-A1 markMCQQ.One end of a nylon rope of length 1 and diameter 10 mm is fixed to free limb. A monkey weighing 100 N jumps to catch the free end and stays there. The change in diameter of the rope is (Young's modulus of the wire is Y and Poisson Ratio is σ ) (A) πY4000σ (B) πY400σ (C) πY40000σ (D) σY40000π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The change in diameter is found from the lateral strain (Poisson effect) caused by the axial tensile stress. The answer is πY40000σ, so option (C) is correct.
Concept & Intuition
When the monkey hangs on the rope, the rope stretches lengthwise (axial strain). Because of the Poisson effect, a material that stretches in one direction contracts in the perpendicular directions. Here, the diameter decreases. The change in diameter is proportional to the original diameter, the axial strain, and the Poisson ratio. The axial strain itself comes from the tensile stress (weight divided by cross-sectional area) divided by Young's modulus. So we just need to compute the stress carefully, then apply the Poisson relation.
Step-by-step solution
-
Find the cross-sectional area of the rope
Diameter d=10 mm=10−2 m.
Area A=4πd2=4π(10−2)2=4π×10−4=4π×10−4 m2.
-
Compute the axial tensile stress
The monkey’s weight W=100 N is the tensile force.
Stress σaxial=AW=4π×10−4100=π×10−4100×4=π×10−4400=π400×104=π4×106 Pa.
-
Find the axial strain
By Hooke’s law, axial strain εaxial=Yσaxial=πY4×106.
-
Relate lateral strain to axial strain via Poisson ratio
Poisson ratio σ (here the symbol given in the problem) is defined as
σ=−axial strainlateral strain.
Lateral strain (change in diameter / original diameter) is therefore
εlateral=−σεaxial=−σ⋅πY4×106.
-
Compute the change in diameter
Original diameter d=10−2 m.
Change in diameter Δd=d⋅εlateral=10−2⋅(−σ⋅πY4×106)=−πY4×104σ.
The magnitude (the question asks for “the change”, typically the absolute value) is
∣Δd∣=πY40000σ.
TipNotice the units: 10−2×106=104, giving the factor 40000. A common mistake is to forget converting mm to m or to misplace the factor of 4 from the area formula.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
-
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-E1 markMCQQ.A wire of negligible mass having uniform area of cross section ' A ' and young modulus ' Y ' is used to suspend a point mass ' m '. The point mass executes simple harmonic motion in a vertical plane with a period ' T ', then the length of the wire is : (A) L=4π2mTY2A (B) L=4πm2T2YA (C) L=4πm2TY2A (D) L=4π2mT2YA
›Reveal solutionSolution
The period of a mass on a vertical wire is determined by the wire's stiffness, which comes from its Young's modulus and geometry. Using the formula for the spring constant of a stretched wire and the period of a simple harmonic oscillator, we find L=4π2mT2YA, which corresponds to option (D).
The key concept here is that a wire under tension behaves like a spring for small oscillations. When the mass is displaced vertically, the wire stretches and exerts a restoring force proportional to the extension, exactly like Hooke's law. The "spring constant" k for a wire of length L, cross-sectional area A, and Young's modulus Y is k=LYA. Then the period of simple harmonic motion for a mass m on such a spring is T=2πkm. Combining these gives the length directly.
- Recall the spring constant for a wire under tension. Young's modulus is defined as Y=strainstress=ΔL/LF/A. Rearranging:
F=LYAΔL
This is exactly Hooke's law F=kΔL, so the effective spring constant is
k=LYA.
- Write the period of a mass-spring system. For a simple harmonic oscillator, the period is
T=2πkm.
- Substitute the expression for k.
T=2πYA/Lm=2πYAmL.
- Solve for L. Square both sides:
T2=4π2YAmL.
Multiply both sides by YA and divide by 4π2m:
L=4π2mT2YA.
Watch outA common mistake is to confuse the formula for the period of a simple pendulum (T=2πL/g) with that of a mass on a spring. Here, the restoring force comes from the wire's elasticity, not gravity, so the correct analogy is the spring-mass system.
TipNotice that the answer depends on T2 and YA in the numerator, and m in the denominator. Checking dimensions can quickly eliminate options: Y has units of pressure (N/m²), A is m², so YA is force; dividing by m gives acceleration; multiplied by T2 gives length. Only option (D) has this correct combination.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-M1 markMCQQ.Young's modulus of the material of wires X and Y are in the ratio 4:1 and the areas of cross sections of the wires X and Y are in the ratio 2:1. If the same amount of load is applied to both the wires, the ratio of elongation produced in the wires X and Y will be: (Assume length of the wires X and Y initially are the same) (A) 1:8 (B) 1:1 (C) 8:1 (D) 1:2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using Hooke’s law for elastic deformation, elongation is inversely proportional to Young’s modulus and cross‑sectional area. Given the ratios, the elongation ratio of X to Y is 1:8, so option (A) is correct.
Concept & Intuition
When the same load (force) is applied to two wires of equal initial length, the amount each stretches depends on how stiff the material is (Young’s modulus Y) and how thick the wire is (cross‑sectional area A). A larger Young’s modulus means the material resists stretching more; a larger area also resists stretching more. So elongation is inversely proportional to both Y and A. The problem gives ratios for Y and A, so we combine them to find the ratio of elongations.
Step‑by‑step reasoning
- Recall the elongation formula For a wire of length L, cross‑sectional area A, Young’s modulus Y, under a tensile force F, the elongation ΔL is given by Hooke’s law:
ΔL=AYFL.
Here F and L are the same for both wires (same load, same initial length), so ΔL∝AY1.
-
Write the given ratios
- Young’s modulus: YX:YY=4:1 → YYYX=4.
- Cross‑sectional area: AX:AY=2:1 → AYAX=2.
-
Set up the ratio of elongations
ΔLYΔLX=AYYY1AXYX1=AXYXAYYY.
- Substitute the known ratios
ΔLYΔLX=AXAY⋅YXYY=21⋅41=81.
So the elongation of wire X is one‑eighth that of wire Y.
- Interpret the ratio The ratio ΔLX:ΔLY=1:8.
Watch outA common mistake is to think elongation is directly proportional to Young’s modulus or area. Remember: stiffer material (higher Y) and thicker wire (larger A) both reduce elongation, so they go in the denominator.
TipYou can also think: if Y is 4 times larger, elongation is 4 times smaller; if A is 2 times larger, elongation is 2 times smaller. Combined, elongation is 4×2=8 times smaller, giving a 1:8 ratio.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-E1 markMCQQ.The temperature of a wire is doubled. The Young's modulus of elasticity (A) Will decrease (B) Will also double (C) Will become four times (D) Will remain the same
›Reveal solutionSolution
Young's modulus measures a material's stiffness, which depends on interatomic forces. When temperature rises, atoms vibrate more, weakening these bonds and reducing the modulus. Doubling the temperature (in Kelvin) decreases Young's modulus, so the correct choice is (A).
Concept & Intuition
Young's modulus Y is defined as the ratio of stress to strain in the elastic region:
Y=strainstress=ΔL/LF/A.
It reflects how strongly atoms resist being pulled apart. At the atomic level, the modulus is proportional to the curvature of the interatomic potential energy curve near equilibrium. When temperature increases, atoms gain thermal energy and vibrate with larger amplitudes. This effectively reduces the "stiffness" of the bonds — the potential well becomes shallower on average — so the material becomes more compliant. Hence, Young's modulus decreases with increasing temperature for most solids.
Step-by-step reasoning
- Recall the temperature dependence of elastic moduli For most crystalline solids, Young's modulus decreases approximately linearly with temperature over a wide range. The empirical relation is
Y(T)=Y0[1−α(T−T0)],
where α is a positive constant (the temperature coefficient of the modulus). Doubling the temperature (say from T to 2T) means a large increase, so Y will drop.
-
Why it cannot double or stay the same
- If Y doubled, the material would become twice as stiff — opposite to the known effect of heating (bonds weaken).
- If Y remained the same, temperature would have no effect on bond strength, which contradicts the observed thermal expansion and softening.
- Becoming four times is even more unrealistic.
-
Consider the atomic picture
The interatomic force constant k (spring constant) is related to Young's modulus by Y∝k/r0, where r0 is the equilibrium spacing. As temperature rises, r0 increases slightly (thermal expansion) and the potential well flattens, reducing k. Both effects lower Y.
-
Eliminate the wrong options
- (B) "Will also double" — false; heating softens, not stiffens.
- (C) "Will become four times" — false; even more extreme.
- (D) "Will remain the same" — false; temperature change always affects elastic properties.
-
Conclusion
Only option (A) "Will decrease" is consistent with physics.
Watch outA common mistake is to think that because the wire expands, the modulus might stay constant. But expansion changes the geometry, while Young's modulus is an intrinsic property — it changes with temperature due to altered atomic bonding, not just geometry.
TipFor quick recall: Most solids soften when heated. Think of a metal wire glowing red-hot — it becomes much easier to bend. That's Young's modulus decreasing.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.If the ratio of lengths, radii and Young's Moduli of steel and brass wires in the figure are a,b and c respectively, then the corresponding ratio of increase in their lengths would be (A) 3b2ca (B) 2b2c3a (C) 3b2c2a (D) c2ab2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using ΔL=πr2YFL for each wire, with the brass wire carrying 3Mg and the steel wire 2Mg, the ratio of extensions is 3b2c2a. The correct option is (C).
Concept
A loaded wire extends by ΔL=AYFL=πr2YFL. The two wires carry different tensions — the upper (brass) wire supports both hanging masses while the lower (steel) wire supports only the bottom one — so their tensions differ before the given length/radius/modulus ratios are applied.
Solution
- Tensions. Fbrass=(M+2M)g=3Mg, Fsteel=2Mg.
- Extension formula. ΔL=πr2YFL for each wire.
- Given ratios (steel : brass). LbLs=a, rbrs=b, YbYs=c.
- Ratio of extensions.
ΔLbΔLs=FbFs⋅LbLs⋅(rsrb)2⋅YsYb=32⋅a⋅b21⋅c1=3b2c2a.
Watch outRemember the brass wire carries both masses (3Mg), and the radius ratio enters squared because area ∝r2.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 3b2c2a.
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-E1 markMCQQ.A man grows into a giant such that his height increases to 8 times his original height. Assuming that his density remains same, the stress in the leg will change by a factor of (A) 22 (B) 4 (C) 16 (D) 8
›Reveal solutionSolution
(This is exactly why giants are structurally impossible at the same material strength - stress grows in proportion to height.)
Concept: scaling of stress with linear size for a geometrically similar body of constant density.
Stress in the leg = (weight supported) / (cross-sectional area of the leg)
= (density * volume * g) / area
Under a uniform scale-up by a factor n = 8 (all lengths multiplied by 8, density unchanged):
- volume scales as L^3 -> 8^3 = 512 times, so weight scales 512 times
- leg cross-sectional area scales as L^2 -> 8^2 = 64 times
Stress scales as L^3 / L^2 = L, i.e. by the factor 8.
(This is exactly why giants are structurally impossible at the same material strength - stress grows in proportion to height.)
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 8
ANSWER: D
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-M1 markMCQQ.Two wire of same material having radius in ratio 2 : 1 and lengths in ratio 1: 2. If same force is applied on them, then ratio of their change in length will be (A) 1:1 (B) 1:2 (C) 1:4 (D) 1:8
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using Δl∝L/r2 with lengths 1:2 and radii 2:1 gives a change-in-length ratio of 1:8.
Elongation under a force F:
Δl=AYFL=πr2YFL.
Same material (Y common) and same force F, so Δl∝r2L.
Given r1:r2=2:1 and L1:L2=1:2:
Δl2Δl1=L2L1⋅r12r22=21⋅41=81.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — 1:8
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-M1 markMCQQ.Two wires are made of the same material and have the same volume. The first wire has cross-sectional area A and the second wire has cross-sectional area 3A. If the length of the first wire is increased by Δl on applying a force F, how much force is needed to stretch the second wire by the same amount? (A) 4F (B) 6F (C) 9F (D) F
›Reveal solutionSolution
Equal volume forces L2=L1/3; with F∝A/L for the same Δl, the second wire needs 3×3=9 times the force.
Required force for a given extension Δl:
F=LYAΔl.
Equal volume V=AL means L=V/A, so:
F=V/AYAΔl=VYA2Δl∝A2.
Wire 2 has area 3A:
F1F2=(A3A)2=9 ⇒ F2=9F.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 9F
- COMEDK 2022Set 20221 markMCQQ.A copper and a steel wire of same diameter are connected end to end. A deforming force F1 is applied to the wire which causes an elongation of 1 cm. The two wires will have (A) the same stress (B) different stress (C) the same strain (D) different strain
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR]
In a series (end-to-end) arrangement both wires carry the same force over the same area, so they experience the same stress.
Concept
Stress is defined as force per unit area, σ=F/A (CBSE Class 11 elasticity). For wires joined end to end, the applied force is transmitted equally through each section.
Solution
The two wires are connected end to end, so the same force F1 acts on both. They have the same diameter, hence the same cross-sectional area A. Therefore
σCu=AF1=σsteel,
so both wires have the same stress.
(Their strains are not equal, since ε=σ/Y and YCu=Ysteel; copper stretches more per unit stress. But the quantity that is guaranteed equal is the stress.)
[!ANSWER]
(A) the same stress
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