Properties of Solids

Solids have a fixed shape and volume due to strong intermolecular forces. Key properties include elasticity, plasticity, hardness, strength, ductility, and malleability, which define how solids behave under force, pressure, or temperature.

Elasticity	Material regains shape & size on removal of force
Plasticity	Material remains deformed permanently on removal of force
Stress	(Restoring force / area) > F / A (Pascal)
Longitudinal strain	Change in length / Total length (in case of tensile & compressive stress)

Hooks law

Stress imposed on a solid is directly proportional to the strain produced, within the elastic limit.
Stress = k * strain (Where k is modulus of elasticity )

Stress Strain Curve

The relationship between the stress and strain that a particular material displays is known as that particular material’s stress–strain curve.

It is unique for each material and is found by recording the amount of deformation (strain) at distinct intervals of tensile or compressive loading (stress).
These curves reveal many of the properties of a material (including data to establish the Modulus of Elasticity, E)

Stress–strain curves of various materials vary widely, and different tensile tests conducted on the same material yield different results, depending upon the temperature of the specimen and the speed of the loading.

It is possible, however, to distinguish some common characteristics among the stress–strain curves of various groups of materials and, on this basis, to divide materials into two broad categories; namely, the ductile materials and the brittle materials

Till yield point hooks law is valid & body remains elastic
Within yield region (red region), stress & strain are not proportional but body still remains elastic (Known as yield point, Elastic limit & yield strength of the material
From yield point to ultimate tensile strength strain increases rapidly even with a small change in stress. Body does not regains its shape & size fully & gets deformed permanently
If Ultimate tensile strength & fracture point are closed > Material is brittle & if far away, then the material is ductile

Some Basic terms used in properties of solids

Young’s Modulus (Elastic modulus)	A mechanical property of linear elastic solid materialsTensile or Compressive stress / longitudinal strain
Shear modulus (Modulus of rigidity)	Shearing stress / shearing strain
Bulk Modulus	Used to characterize compressibility of fluids- P/(change in vol. /volume)
Compressibility	1 / bulk modulus

✅ Importance of Understanding Properties of Solids

Helps select materials for construction and engineering.
Essential in designing bridges, buildings, and vehicles.
Explains how solids deform under stress and strain.
Used in metallurgy and manufacturing industries.
Important for quality control and material testing.
Supports innovations in material science and nanotechnology.
Used to predict the lifespan of materials under load.
Key in developing flexible, strong, or lightweight materials.
Explains hardness, brittleness, and toughness of objects.
Fundamental in understanding seismic-resistant designs.

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