Elasticity vs plasticity - Energy Education (2024)

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For Further Reading Reference FAQs

Objects deform when pushed, pulled, and twisted. Elasticity is the measure of the amount that the object can return to its original shape after these external forces and pressures stop.[2] This is what allows springs to store elastic potential energy.


The opposite of elasticity is plasticity; when something is stretched, and it stays stretched, the material is said to be plastic. When energy goes into changing the shape of some material and it stays changed, that is said to be plastic deformation. When the material goes back to its original form, that's elastic deformation.[3] Mechanical energy is lost whenever an object undergoes plastic deformation. Manufacturing goods from raw materials involves a great deal of plastic deformation. For example, rolling steel into a particular shape (like rebar for construction) involves plastic deformation, since a new shape is created.

Elasticity vs plasticity - Energy Education (2)

Figure 2. Plastic wrap is an example of plasticity. After stretched—it stays stretched.[4]

Most materials have an amount of force or pressure for which they deform elastically. If more force or pressure is applied, then they have plastic deformation. Materials that have a fair amount of plastic deformation before breaking are said to be ductile.[3] Materials that can't stretch or bend much without breaking are said to be brittle. Copper is quite ductile, which is part of why it is used for wires (most metals are ductile (but copper especially so). Glass and ceramics are often brittle; they will break rather than bend!

To learn more about elasticity please see hyperphysics.

For Further Reading

Reference

  1. ]"Free Image on Pixabay - Spring, Helical, Metal, Steel", Pixabay.com, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://pixabay.com/en/spring-helical-metal-steel-1453075/. [Accessed: 15- Jun- 2018].
  2. R. D. Knight, "Elasticity," in Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, 2nd ed. San Francisco, U.S.A.: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 278.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Hawkes et al, "Deformation and Elasticity," in Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 1st ed. Toronto: Cengage, 2014, pp. 265-268.
  4. "File:Pvc-Film.jpg - Wikimedia Commons", Commons.wikimedia.org, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pvc-Film.jpg. [Accessed: 15- Jun- 2018].
Elasticity vs plasticity - Energy Education (2024)

FAQs

Elasticity vs plasticity - Energy Education? ›

When energy goes into changing the shape of some material and it stays changed, that is said to be plastic deformation. When the material goes back to its original form, that's elastic deformation.

What is the theory of elasticity vs plasticity? ›

Elasticity: Is the ability of a material to return to its original shape and size on the removal of external forces. Plasticity: Is the property of a material of being permanently deformed by a force without breaking.

What is elasticity in physical education? ›

Elasticity is theability of a deformed material body to return to its original shape and size when the forces causing the deformation are removed. A body with this ability is said to behave (or respond) elastically.

What is the difference between elastic and plastic behavior? ›

Elastic Deformation – The deformation caused is reversible, and the deformation disappears after the removal of applied forces. A classic example of elastic deformation is the stretching of a rubber band. Plastic Deformation – The deformation is irreversible and it stays even after the removal of the applied forces.

Is elastic energy the same as elastic potential energy? ›

Elastic energy is energy stored in an object due to a force that temporarily changes its shape, such as squashing or stretching. Potential energy is energy that is stored in an object or substance. Elastic energy is a form of potential energy – in fact, it's often called 'elastic potential energy'.

What is the basic theory of plasticity? ›

Plasticity theory deals with yielding of materials, often under complex states of stress. Plastic deformation, unlike elastic deformation, is permanent in the sense that after stresses are removed the shape change remains.

What are some examples of plasticity? ›

For example, a solid piece of metal being bent or pounded into a new shape displays plasticity as permanent changes occur within the material itself. In engineering, the transition from elastic behavior to plastic behavior is known as yielding.

What is the difference between elastic and plastic energy? ›

When energy goes into changing the shape of some material and it stays changed, that is said to be plastic deformation. When the material goes back to its original form, that's elastic deformation. Mechanical energy is lost whenever an object undergoes plastic deformation.

What is the difference between elasticity and plasticity answer? ›

1) Elasticity is the property of solid material that it gains its original shape and size after the removal of applied force. 1)Plasticity is the property of solid material that it does not gain its original shape and size after the removal of applied force.

Which is an example of elastic behavior? ›

Therefore, elasticity is such a property of a body by the virtue of which anybody tends to regain its original shape (or) size when external forces are removed. It exhibits an opposition to change. Example: a rubber band.

Do humans have elastic potential energy? ›

However, your body isn't able to store this elastic energy potential energy for long before it changes to thermal energy in the tendon as the fibers reconfigure, so it only provides short-term enhancements to power output. Other animals have adapted to store elastic potential energy for longer periods.

What are 10 examples of elastic potential energy? ›

Many objects are designed specifically to store elastic potential energy, for example:
  • The coil spring of a wind-up clock.
  • An archer's stretched bow.
  • A bent diving board, just before a divers jump.
  • The twisted rubber band which powers a toy airplane.
  • A bouncy ball, compressed at the moment it bounces off a brick wall.

How is elastic energy used in everyday life? ›

When the spring is released, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the toy to move. Similarly, clocks and watches use a spring to store energy that is released to power the movement of the hands. Elastic potential energy is also used in sports equipment such as trampolines and pole vaults.

What is the concept of theory of elasticity? ›

The theory of elasticity treats the relationship between forces applied to an object and the resulting deformations. In practice, the analysis of the elastic behaviour of a material is reduced to the study of simple deformations and the determination of the corresponding elastic constants.

What is the theory of elasticity approach? ›

The elasticities approach showed that it is possible for a country to improve its balance of trade through devaluation. Once the exchange rate effects pass through to import and export prices, imports should fall while exports increase, stimulating the production of goods and services and income at home.

What is elastic and plastic torsion theory? ›

Under elastic-plastic torsion, the circular shaft possesses the maximum resisting torque among all solid bars with the same cross-sectional area and the same angle of twist per unit length. 1* Introduction* Consider a simply connected cylindrical bar twisted by terminal couples.

What is meant by the theory of elasticity of demand? ›

An elastic demand is one in which the change in quantity demanded due to a change in price is large. An inelastic demand is one in which the change in quantity demanded due to a change in price is small. The formula for computing elasticity of demand is: (Q1 – Q2) / (Q1 + Q2)

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