The Young Modulus (AQA A Level Physics)

Revision Note

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Katie M

Last updated

7 November 2024

The Young Modulus

The Young modulus is the measure of the ability of a material to withstand changes in length with an added load
- This gives information about the stiffness of a material
- This is useful for engineers to make sure the materials they are using can withstand sufficient forces
The Young Modulus is defined as the ratio of tensile stress and tensile strain

Where:
- F = force (N)
- L = original length (m)
- A = cross-sectional area (m²)
- ΔL = extension (m)

Since strain is dimensionless, the units of the Young Modulus is pascals (Pa)
The Young Modulus of a material is typically a very large number, in the order of GPa

Table of the Young's Modulus for Materials

Table of Young’s Modulus for Materials, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Worked Example

A metal wire that is supported vertically from a fixed point has a load of 92 N applied to the lower end.

The wire has a cross-sectional area of 0.04 mm² and obeys Hooke’s law.

The length of the wire increases by 0.50%.What is the Young modulus of the metal wire?

A. 4.6 × 10⁷Pa B. 4.6 × 10¹² Pa C. 4.6 × 10⁹Pa D. 4.6 × 10¹¹ Pa

WE - Young modulus answer image, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Examiner Tips and Tricks

To remember whether stress or strain comes first in the Young modulus equation, try thinking of the phrase ‘When you’re stressed, you show the strain’ i.e. Stress ÷ Strain.

The Young Modulus from Stress-Strain Graphs

The Young Modulus is equal to the gradient of a stress-strain graph when it is linear (a straight line)
- This is the region in which Hooke's Law is obeyed
The area under the graph in this region is equal to the energy stored per unit volume of the material