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Long Answer Questions · Q30

Q.Distinguish between Young's modulus, bulk modulus and modulus of rigidity.

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Step 1. Young's modulus (Y). Associated with change in length of an object such as a wire, rod or beam under a deforming force applied along its length. Defined as Y=Longitudinal stressLongitudinal strain=MgLπr2lY = \dfrac{\text{Longitudinal stress}}{\text{Longitudinal strain}} = \dfrac{MgL}{\pi r^2 l} for a loaded wire. It is a property of solids only, since only solids maintain a definite length.

Step 2. Bulk modulus (K). Associated with change in volume of a body under a force applied uniformly over its whole surface. Defined as K=−VdPdVK = -V\dfrac{dP}{dV}. Unlike the other two, it applies to solids, liquids and gases, since all three states have a definite volume.

Step 3. Modulus of rigidity (η). Associated with change in shape (with no change in size) of a body under a tangential (shearing) couple. Defined as η=Shear stressShear strain=F/Aθ\eta = \dfrac{\text{Shear stress}}{\text{Shear strain}} = \dfrac{F/A}{\theta}. Like Young's modulus, it applies to solids only, since only solids possess a definite shape.

Step 4. Summary of the contrast. All three share the same SI unit (N/m²) and the same dimensional formula [L−1M1T−2][L^{-1}M^1T^{-2}], because all three are a stress (force/area) divided by a dimensionless strain — they differ purely in which kind of deformation (length, volume, or shape) each one measures resistance to, and correspondingly in which states of matter they apply to.

✓Final answer

Young's modulus resists change in length (solids only); bulk modulus resists change in volume (solids, liquids, gases); modulus of rigidity resists change in shape (solids only) — each is the ratio of its matching stress to its matching strain.

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