Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Physics) A measure of a material's stiffness: The "elastic modulus" quantifies how much a material deforms under a specific amount of applied stress. It is the ratio of stress (force per unit area) to strain (deformation) in the elastic region where the material returns to its original shape when the stress is removed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Steel has a very high elastic modulus, making it suitable for constructing bridges.
  • The engineer calculated the elastic modulus of the new polymer to ensure it was suitable for the application.
  • A key property in material science is the elastic modulus, which indicates stiffness.

Advanced Usage

• "Young's modulus": The most common type of elastic modulus, specifically for tensile or compressive stress. It is often used synonymously with "elastic modulus" in many engineering contexts.

  • Young's modulus, a specific elastic modulus, is crucial for predicting how a beam will bend.

• "Shear modulus" and "Bulk modulus": Other specific types of elastic moduli that describe a material's response to different kinds of stress (shear and volumetric compression, respectively).

  • While Young's modulus deals with stretching, the shear modulus describes resistance to shape change.

Variants and Related Words

• Modulus of Elasticity: A synonymous term for "elastic modulus."
• Stiffness: A more general, non-technical term related to the concept of a high elastic modulus.
• Elastic Limit: The maximum stress a material can withstand while still returning to its original shape; related to but distinct from the elastic modulus.

Synonyms

• Stiffness constant (in technical contexts).
• Modulus of elasticity.

Related Phrases

• "To have a high/low elastic modulus": Describing a material's inherent property.
  • Rubber has a low elastic modulus compared to diamond.

Notes

• The term is primarily used in physics, engineering, and materials science.
• It is a fundamental material property, not a measurement of strength or toughness, but of rigidity.

Noun

1. (physics) the ratio of the applied stress to the change in shape of an elastic body