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