Meaning & use
modulus of elasticity
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Meaning
nouncountabletechnicalphysics
A measure of how stiff a material is, found by dividing the stress applied to it by the strain it produces.
Grammar: Countable when referring to a specific value: 'a modulus of elasticity of 200 GPa'. Uncountable when talking about the property in general: 'the modulus of elasticity is important'.
Patterns
- the modulus of elasticity of a material
- a high/low modulus of elasticity
- modulus of elasticity in tension/compression
Engineers measure the modulus of elasticity to predict how much a steel beam will bend under load.
The modulus of elasticity of rubber is much lower than that of steel, so rubber stretches more easily.
In the lab report, we calculated the modulus of elasticity from the slope of the stress-strain graph.
Word forms
| plural | moduli of elasticity |
|---|
Common combinations
- high modulus of elasticity
- Diamond has a very high modulus of elasticity, making it extremely hard.
- low modulus of elasticity
- Materials with a low modulus of elasticity are flexible and can absorb shock.
- measure the modulus of elasticity
- Scientists measure the modulus of elasticity using a tensile testing machine.
- modulus of elasticity value
- The modulus of elasticity value for aluminum is about 70 GPa.
- temperature dependence of the modulus of elasticity
- The temperature dependence of the modulus of elasticity is significant in polymers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- elastic modulus
- A broader term that includes the modulus of elasticity and other elastic moduli like the shear modulus; use it when you don't need to specify the type of stress.
- Young's modulus
- Specifically refers to the modulus of elasticity in tension or compression; it is a type of modulus of elasticity, so use it when the stress is uniaxial.
Word family
- modulus noun
- A general term for a coefficient or measure in mathematics and physics.
- elastic adjective
- Describing a material that returns to its original shape after being stretched or squeezed.
- elasticity noun
- The property of being elastic; the ability to stretch and recover.
Commonly confused: modulus of elasticity or modulus of rigidity?
modulus of elasticity vs modulus of rigidity
This measures resistance to shear stress, not stretching or compression. The modulus of elasticity is about pulling or pushing, while the modulus of rigidity is about sliding forces.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'modulus of elasticity' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The modulus of elasticity is defined as stress divided by strain, so option B is correct. Option An is wrong because a high modulus means stiffness, not brittleness. Option C confuses it with electrical conductivity. Option D is the opposite: low modulus means flexible, not stiff.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “modulus of elasticity”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.