Question

A wire is stretched right to the breaking point by a 5000 N force. A longer wire made of the same material has the same diameter. Is the force that will stretch it right to the breaking point larger than, smaller than, or equal to 5000 N? Explain.

Short answer

A force equal to$5000N$will also take the wire to its elastic limit.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

Force acting on wire is$F=5000N$.

Explanation

The stress on the wire is $\frac{F}{A}$. Strain in the wire is $\frac{∆L}{L}$.

The stress on the wire is proportional to the strain in the elastic region. The breaking point is past the elastic limit. It can be reached at particular strain.

A longer is wire made of the same material has the same diameter, thus area $A$remains the same.

Therefore, an equal force of $5000N$will also take the wire to its elastic limit.