(a) Elastic limit. The elastic limit of a material is the maximum load (or stress) that the material can experience and still return exactly to its original length and shape when the load is removed. If the load exceeds the elastic limit, the material is permanently (plastically) deformed.
(b) Hooke's law of elasticity. Provided the elastic limit is not exceeded, the extension of an elastic material is directly proportional to the applied force (load) producing it.
\[ F = k e, \]
where F is the applied force, e is the extension, and k is the force constant (elastic constant) of the material.
(a) Elastic limit. The elastic limit of a material is the maximum load (or stress) that the material can experience and still return exactly to its original length and shape when the load is removed. If the load exceeds the elastic limit, the material is permanently (plastically) deformed.
(b) Hooke's law of elasticity. Provided the elastic limit is not exceeded, the extension of an elastic material is directly proportional to the applied force (load) producing it.
\[ F = k e, \]
where F is the applied force, e is the extension, and k is the force constant (elastic constant) of the material.