SUBJECT:

PHYSICS

CLASS:

SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL 1

TERM:

THIRD
 SCHEME OF WORK

WEEK TOPIC
1. Electricity – Electric current, Potential difference, Electromotive force,
Resistance, Ohm’s law, Resistivity and conductivity
2. Resistors and Cells – Arrangement in Series & Parallel and calculation
3. Electrical Energy and Power – Buying electric current
4. Safety Device – Fuse
5. Particle nature of matter – Atomic Structure, state of matter, Diffusion,
Osmosis, Brownian motion
6. Crystal Structure of Matter – Amorphous and Crystalline
structure/substances
7. Surface Tension – Definition, effects, application and reduction; Simple
calculation
8. Capillarity – Adhesion, Cohesion and Application
9. Elasticity – Hooke’s law, tensile stress, tensile strain and Young’s Modulus
10.Energy in Elastic materials
11.Revision
12.Examination
 WEEKONE
ELECTRICITY
 Definition and functions of electric circuit and its components
 Definition of some physical quantities in dc circuit
 Verification of ohm’s law

Terms used in electricity:

1. Conductors: They are materials which allow electrons to pass through them
easily e.g. metal, graphite, acids, salt solution etc.
2. Semiconductors: They are materials whose resistivity is mid-way between
good conductors and insulators e.g. germanium, silicon etc.
3. Insulators: They are materials which do not allow electrons to pass through
them e.g. paper, plastic, glass, oil, cotton, dry hair, polythene etc.
Electric Circuit: An electric circuit is a complete path provided for the flow of
electric current. The circuit diagram below is a symbolic representation of
such circuit
Functions of dc circuit components
 Cells are chemical devices which produces electric force/pressure that
pushes the current to flow.
 Switch / key is a device used to start or stop the current flow.
 Ammeter measures the electric current flowing in a circuit
 Voltmeter measures the potential difference across the terminal of a load
 Rheostat varies the flow of current
 Resistor is a component that limits or regulate the flow of electric current
DEFINITIONS OF SOME PHYSICAL QUANTITIES
Electric Current (I):
It is the measure of the rate of movement (flow) of charged particles along an
electrical conductor (a circuit). It is simple electric charge (Q) in motion which
consists of moving electrons.
I = Q/t ____________ (1a) where t – time (s)
Q = It ……………… (1b)
Potential Difference (V):
Potential difference between two points in a circuit is the work done (W) when one
coulomb of charge moves from one point to another.
W = Q (VB – VA) = QV ____________ (2a)
V = W/Q ……………………………… (2b)
Electromotive Force (E):
E.m.f. of a cell is the p.d between the terminals of the cell when it is not delivering
any current to the circuit.
Internal Resistance (r):
The internal resistance of a cell is the resistance offered by the electrolyte to the
motion of the current.
Resistance (R):
This is the ratio of the p.d across the conductor to the current flowing through it.
Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s law states that the electric current in a given metallic conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference applied provided that the temperature and
other physical factors remain constant i.e. V α I
Verification of Ohm’s Law
Aim: To show that metallic/ohmic conductor obey ohm’s law
Apparatus: voltmeter, ammeter, rheostat, battery, key, pieces of wire and ohmic
conductor x
Diagram:
Procedure: set up the apparatus as shown above
Observation: As the rheostat is been varied, the reading of the voltmeter is also
changing. Also, the current in the ammeter is increasing with increase in potential
difference.

Table:

Graph:

Slope = ∆V/ ∆I = R
Where R is the constant of proportionality and it is called resistance (R)
Conclusion: ohmic conductors obey ohm’s law.
i.e.
V = IR______________ 3(a)
I = V/R_____________ 3(b)
R= V/I _____________ 3(c)
NB: The relationship between I, E, R & r is that
I = E / R + r = V/R ……………4
CLASSWORK 1
1. Draw a simple electric circuit
2. What is an electric circuit?
3. Define the following terms (a) Electromotive force of a cell (b) Potential
difference (c) Electric current
4. State Ohm’s law and give the mathematical relation
ASSIGNMENT 1
SECTION A
1. A current of 10A passes through a conductor for 10s, calculate the charge
flowing through the conductor (a) 100.0C (b) 10.0C (c) 1.0C (d) 0.1C
2. The symbol represents (a) resistor (b) capacitor (c) diode (d) current
3. The SI unit of voltage is (a) ampere (b) volts (c) ohm’s (d) coulomb
4. The symbol (a) resistor (b) capacitor (c) diode (d) current
5. Which of the following correctly express Ohm’s law (a) V=IR (b) Q=It (c)
R=IV (d) W=QV
SECTION B
1. Determine the length and conductivity of a wire with diameter 2.0mm
constructed from an alloy of resistivity 22x10-8Ωm, if its resistance is 0.42Ω
(π=22/7)
2. Describe an experiment to verify ohm’s law
3. Calculate the resistivity in ohm-m of a 5m wire whose cross-sectional area is
1.0x10-3m2 and resistance is 1ohm
 WEEK TWO
RESISTORS & CELLS CONNECTED IN SERIES & PARALLEL
 Resistors and Cells
 Arrangement in Series & Parallel
 Calculations
Resistors
Resistors in series: These are end to end connection.
Characteristics
i. Same current flow through each resistor
ii. Potential difference across each resistor is different
iii. Potential difference are additive
iv. Power are additive
v. Applied voltage equals the sum of different potential difference
vi. Resistance are additive
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 _______ for 3 resistors
RT = R1 + R2 + R3….. + Rn ___ for n numbers or resistors
Resistors in parallel: These are side by side connection.
Characteristics
i. Different resistors have their individual current
ii. Potential difference across each resistor is the same
iii. Branch current are additive
iv. Conductance are additive
v. Power are additive
1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 ____ for 3 resistors
1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3…..+ 1/Rn ____ for n numbers of resistors
Cells
Cells in series: End to end connections
ET = E + E + E = 3E
For n cells; ET = n E
ET = E1 + E2 + E3
Cells in parallel: Side by side connections
ET = E+E+E/3 = 3E/3 = E
Calculations
If 2Ω, 3Ω, and 5Ω resistors are connected in (a) series (b) parallel, calculate the
equivalent resistance
(a) RT = 2+3+5 = 10Ω
(b) 1/RT = 1/2 +1/3+1/5 = 15+10+6/30 = 31/30
RT = 30/31Ω
CLASSWORK 2
1. State three differences between resistors connected in series and parallel
2. What is: (a) a resistor? (b) a cell?
3. If 2Ω, 2Ω, and 1Ω resistors are connected in (a) series (b) parallel, calculate
the equivalent resistance
ASSIGNMENT 2
SECTION A
Use the diagram below to answer questions 1 and 3
200Ω

5V
100 Ω 100 Ω

1. A car fuse marked 15A and operates normally on a 12V battery, calculate
the resistance of the fuse wire (a) 0.8 Ω (b) 1.3 Ω (c) 3.0 Ω (d) 27.0 Ω
2. Calculate the potential difference across each of the 100 Ω resistor (a) 1v (b)
2v (c) 4v (d) 5v
3. A wire of 5Ω resistance is drawn out so that its new length is twice the
original length. If the resistivity of the wire remains the same and the cross-
sectional area is halved, the new resistance is(a) 5Ω (b) 10Ω (c) 40Ω (d)20 Ω
4. Five 5Ω resistors are connected in parallel, the equivalent resistance is (a)1Ω
(b) 2.5Ω (c) 6.5 Ω (d) 12.5 Ω

5. P 1Ω 2Ω

3Ω 2Ω

Q 1Ω 2Ω
The total resistance measured at PQ in the diagram above is (a) 18.0Ω (b)
11.0Ω (c) 4.0Ω (d) 2.0Ω
SECTION B
1. The resistance of 7m uniform wire of cross sectional area 0.1x10 -4m2 is
0.125Ω. What is the resistivity of the material of the wire?
2. A battery of 20v and internal resistance 5Ω is connected to a resistor 0f 20Ω.
Calculate the value of (a) electric current (b) terminal voltage (c)
lost voltage.
 WEEK THREE
ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND POWER – BUYING ELECTRIC CURRENT
 Electrical Energy
 Electrical Power
 Buying Electrical Power
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Energy = Work (Joules)
W = QV_______________________(1)
But Q = It
W = VIt ______________________(2)
From ohm’s law V = IR
W = I2Rt______________________(3)
From ohm’s law I = V/R
W = V2t/R_____________________(4)
W = QV = VIt = I2Rt = V2t/ R
Electrical Power
Power = work done/time taken (watt) __ (5)
P =QV/t = VI = I2R = V2/R…………….(6)
BUYING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Commercial power is consumed in kilowatt- hour (kWh)
NB: 1kwh = 3.6 х106 J = 3.6MJ
Cost = Pct/ 1000………………………….(7)
P – Power (w)
NB: P(W)/ 1000 = P (KW)
c – Cost per kWh (unit) it means that it is in kWh
T – Time (hr)
CLASSWORK 3
1. State four factors that affect the resistance of a conducting wire
2. A lamp is rated 240V, 60W, calculate the resistance of its filament
3. The headlamp of a car takes a current of 0.4A from a 12v supply. Calculate
the energy produced in 5 minutes.
4. Find the cost of running two 100w amplifier, ten 50w television and twenty
60w lamp for 24hrs, if the electrical energy cost 60k/unit
ASSIGNMENT 3
SECTION A
1. Find the heat in joules produced in an electric coil of resistance 15ohms
when a current of 5 amperes flows through it for 30 minutes (a) 6.75x10 5 (b)
0.75x105 (c) 2.5x105 (d) 6.75x102
2. A lamp is rated 240V, 60W, calculate the resistance of its filament (a) 240Ω
(b) 360Ω (c) 960Ω (d) 1440Ω
3. A fully-charged 6v accumulator can give a current of 2A for 30hours.
Calculate the energy given out during its discharge (a) 1.2x10 3J (b) 1.3x106J
(c) 0.5x103J (d) 2.5x106J
4. If a p.d of 240v is applied across a lamp that supplies energy at the rate of
60w. What is the value of the resistance? (a) 96Ω (b) 48Ω (c) 960Ω (d) 900Ω
5. A wire of length 5m and cross sectional area 4.0x10-8m2 has a resistance of
10Ω. Calculate the conductivity (a) 1.25x107 Ω-1m-1 (b) 2.50x107 Ωm-1 (c)
5.00x107 Ω-1m-1 (d) 8.00x107 Ω-1m-1
6. Given that the diameter of a cylindrical material wire whose 1.0m length
has a resistance of 2.0ohms? Calculate the resistivity of the wire (a) (b) (c)
(d)
 7. The headlamp of a car takes a current of 0.40A from a 12v supply.
Calculate the energy produced in 5 minutes (a) 1.25x10 3J (b) 0.5x107J (c)
1.4x103 (d) 1.25x10-3
8. The maximum power dissipated by 100Ω resistor in a circuit is 4W;
calculate the voltage across the resistor (a) 10V (b) 20V (c) 25V (d) 400V
SECTION B
1. Electricity is supplied to a school along a cable of total resistance 0.5Ω with
the maximum current drawn from the main as 100A. The maximum energy
dissipated as heat for 1hour is?
2. A landlord has eight 40w electric lighting bulb, four 60w bulb and two 100w
bulb. If he has all the point on for 5hrs, what is the bill for 30 days?
3. State ohm’s law. Given a coil of resistance wire, how would you make a coil
of resistance 1.0 Ω from the wire?
 WEEK FOUR
SAFETY DEVICE – FUSE
 Fuse
 Types of Fuse
 Detecting Fault in a Circuit
FUSE
Fuse is a protective device, designed to melt at the passage of excess electric
current through it. It can also be defined as a device for opening circuit, by means
of a conductor designed to melt when an excessive current flows along it. The
conductor actually designed to melt is called fuse element.
FUSE ELEMENT
This is the part of the fuse that is designed to melt and then open the circuit.
Current rating of a fuse: it is the minimum current which the fuse will carry for an
indefinite/ unlimited period without deterioration of the fuse element
Fusing current: is the minimum current that will cause the fuse element to heat up
and melt/ rapture or blow.
Fusing factor is the ratio of the fusing current upon the current rating.
Fusing factor = fusing current/ current rating
TYPES OF FUSE
i. Re-wire able fuse
ii. Cartridge fuse
iii. High breaker capacity fuse
iv. Others
DETECTING FAULT IN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
i. Merger tester – insulation resistance test
ii. Test bell – polarity test
iii. Earth-loop impudence tester – test for earthling
iv. Continuity tester – test for continuity

CLASSWORK 4
1. Define the following terms (a) fuse (b) fuse element (c) current rating of a
fuse
2. List three types of fuse

ASSIGNMENT 4
SECTION A
1. Fuse is a protective device, design to ……….. (a) stick (b) melt (c)
disappear (d) repel
2. The conductor designed to melt is called ……. (a) fuse element (b) fuse (c)
resistor (d) cartridge fuse
3. The following are examples of fuse except ……. fuse (a) re-wire able (b)
merger (c) cartridge (d) high breaking capacity
4. The motion of the prongs of a sounding turning fork is (a) random (b)
translational (c) rotational (d) vibratory
SECTION B
1. Mention four ways of detecting fault in an electric circuit
2. State the relationship between fusing factor, fusing rating and current rating
 WEEK FIVE
PARTICLE NATURE OF MATTER – ATOMIC STRUCTURE, STATE OF
MATTER, DIFFUSION, OSMOSIS, BROWNIAN MOTION
 Atomic Structure
 Molecular Theory of Matter
 Diffusion and Osmosis

MATTER
Matter is defined as anything that has mass and occupies space. All substances are
made up of matter. It exists in three states namely, solid liquid and gas. Examples
of solids are ice, brick, metal, concrete, wood etc. examples of liquid are water,
milk, oil etc. while that of gas are oxygen, nitrogen, CO2
Structure of Matter
Matter is made up of discrete particles namely atom, molecules and ion.
1. Atom: An atom is the smallest particle of an element which can have a separate
existence. Atom is made up of a nucleus and a revolving electron around an
orbit or shell. The nucleus consists of proton and neutron. The proton is
positively charge, electron is negatively charge and neutron is neutral (i.e. has
no charge). The number of protons equates the number of electrons. An atom
that contains the same number of protons and electrons is said to be electrically
neutral.
2. Molecule: A molecule is a group of atoms of the same or different elements
joined in simple proportion. They come together to make up matter
BROWNIAN MOTION
- Molecules exist
- Molecules are continually in motion

Molecular Theory of Matter

Using kinetic theory to explain the:
(i) definite structure of solid
(ii) shape of liquid
(iii) gas
(i) Solid: Matter consists of molecules which are tightly held together by
intermolecular forces to make the molecules to vibrate about their mean
positions, giving the solid definite shape. If the solid is heated, the total
energy is divided among the molecules to make them vibrate faster.
Eventually, they move so fast that they break loose from their fixed
position.
(ii) Liquid: The molecules of a liquid can move about within the given
volume of the container. Hence, liquid has its own size but no shape. If
the liquid is heated, its molecules gain kinetic energy and move faster,
until eventually molecules can escape from the surface. The liquid then
vanishes and turns to gaseous state.
(iii) Gas: The molecules of a gas are also in constant motion like the liquid
but comparatively far apart. They move at high speed, colliding with one
another and with the walls of their containing vessel. They fill the vessel
and exert pressure on the walls of the container. The pressure of the gas
is caused by the collision of the molecules with the walls of the container.
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS
Diffusion
Diffusion is the process by which different forms of matter (fluids) mix intimately
with one another owing to the kinetic nature of their molecules. It is also the
tendency of a gas to mix with another and fill an empty space as a result of the
constant random motion of the molecules.
Factors Affecting the Rate of Diffusion
(i) density
(ii) mass
(iii) temperature
(iv) pressure
(v) concentration
GRAHAM’S LAW OF DIFFUSION
It states that at constant temperature, gas diffuse at rates inversely proportional to
the square root of their vapour densities.
R α1/√M → R = K/√M .;K = R√M
Hence, R1√M1 = R2√M2 = …= Rn√Mn
Hence, R1/R2 = √M2/√M1
Where: R - rate of diffusion,
M – Relative molecular mass.
NB: (i) R = volume (gas)/time
(ii) Relative molecular mass is twice its vapour density

Osmosis
This is the movement of water molecules from the region of higher concentration
to a region of lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
CLASSWORK 5
1. Using kinetic theory, explain the definite structure of solid
2. State four factors that affect the rate of diffusion
ASSIGNMENT 5
SECTION A
1. Which of the following statements about matter is not correct (a) each molecule
of a substance moves to and fro about a fixed position (b) energy is require to
break the forces of attraction between molecules (c) molecules of liquids are
more closely packed than those of gases (d) molecules of solids move more
freely than molecules of liquids
2. The nucleus of an atom consist of (a) proton and electron (b) neutron and
electron (c) proton and neutron (d) none of the above
3. The odour of a leaking gas is perceived at a distance from the source. This is
made possible by the process of (a) capillarity (b) evaporation (c) osmosis (d)
diffusion
4. When is atom said to be electrically neutral (a) when the number of proton
equals the number of neutron (b) when the number of protons equals the
number of electrons (c) when the number of proton is greater than the
number of electron (d) when the number of neutron equals the number of
electron
5. Atoms of solids having crystalline structures are arranged in regular patterns
called (a) energy levels (b) atomic structure (c) lattices (d) orbits
SECTION B
1. Using kinetic theory, explain the definite structure of solid
2. State four factors that affect the rate of diffusion
3. What is the importance of Brownie’s motion
 MID-TERM
PROJECT
Using a white cardboard, draw the FCC, BCC
and HCP crystal structure
 WEEK SIX
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF MATTER – AMORPHOUS AND
CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE/SUBSTANCES
 Crystal Structure
 Crystalline and Amorphous Substance
The term crystal structure is generally used to describe the internal structure of
solids. A crystal is a material whose atoms are packed closely together in a regular
structure. The particles of a solid are orderly arranged in parallel planes. In other
words, solid crystals consist of particles arranged in parallel planes. Crystals are
built up from simple structural units called unit cells. A unit cell (also called a
space lattice) is made up of few atoms, ions or molecules. It is the smallest part of
the crystal which has all the properties of the solids. Basically, there are three basic
unit cells are: body centered cube (BCC), face centered cube (FCC) and hexagonal
closed-packed structure (HCP)
In general, there are seven types of unit cells. Each type gives rise to a crystal
system. They include cubic, rhombic, monoclinic, triclinic, tetragonal,
rhombohedra and hexagonal crystal system. X- ray analysis of crystal shows that
three pairs of opposite parallel faces bund the unit cells in all crystal systems,
except in hexagonal system. We can draw three imaginary lines between the
centres of the opposite parallel faces.
These imaginary lines represent three axes of symmetry. The length of these axes
of symmetry and the angles between them determines the system to which a crystal
belongs. This is demonstrated using cubic and monoclinic crystal systems.
In a cubic crystal system, the axes of symmetry have equal length and at right
angles to each other. This type of crystal system is found in copper, sodium
chloride, silver, gold, iron, sodium, potassium etc. however, the type of cubic
crystal system found in copper, silver, gold and sodium chloride is different from
the type found in sodium, iron and potassium. The former is called face centred
cubic, while the latter is called body centred cubic. In a monoclinic system, the
axes are not equal in length and only two of them are at right angles to each other.
These crystal systems are in sugar, washing soda, ferrous sulphate etc.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CRYSTALLINE AND AMORPHOUS
SUBSTANCES
On the basis of internal structure of solid, we can classify a solid as either a crystal
substance (e.g. common salt) or an amorphous substance (e.g. glass). The
differences between the two substances are:

Amorphous substances Crystalline substance

1. Have a definite internal arrangement Have a haphazard distribution of
of particles. particles
2. Have a cleavage planes along which They do not have cleavage planes
they fracture when struck
3. Meets sharply at a definite They not meet sharply at a definite
temperature when heated. temperature
4. Regarded as true solid Regarded as super cooled liquids
5. Have a long range order of arrange- Have short range order of arrangement
ment of particles of particles
6. Are efflorescence substance Are not efflorescence substance

CLASSSWORK 6
1. Define amorphous substance
2. What is crystalline structure? Give two examples of crystalline substances
ASSIGNMENT 6

SECTION A
1. Unit cell is also known as (a) monoclinic system (b) polyclinic system (c)
space lattice (d) none of the above
2. Crystal structure is generally used to describe (a) the external structure of
solids (b) the internal structure of solids (c) the internal structure of liquids
(d) the external structure of liquid
3. Particles of a solid are orderly arranged in….. planes (a) parallel (b)
horizontal (c) vertical (d) none of the above
 4. In which of the following are crystalline structures observable? I Gas II
Liquid III solid (a) I only (b) II only (c) III only (d) I and II
5. ………… substance has a definite internal arrangement of particles (a)
Amorphous (b) Crystalline (c) Elastic (d) Atomic
SECTION B
1. What is a crystal?
2. Give three differences between crystalline and amorphous substances
3. Draw the BCC structure
 WEEK SEVEN
SURFACE TENSION – DEFINITION, EFFECTS, APPLICATION AND
REDUCTION; SIMPLE CALCULATION
 Definition of surface tension
 Effect of surface tension
 Application of surface tension
 Reduction of surface tension
SURFACE TENSION
- It is the property of a liquid to make its surface behave as though it is
covered by an elastic skin.
- It is the force per unit length acting at right angles on one side of a line
drawn in the surface, Y= F/2L
- It is the force acting parallel to the surface of the liquid
EFFECTS OF SURFACE TENSION
1. Soap bubbles are spherical in shape
2. Water skaters are able to walk on the surface of water
3. Razor blade or needle gently placed on the surface of water floats
4. Spilled mercury on glass surface form spherical droplets
APPLICATION OF SURFACE TENSION
1. Use in the manufacturing of rain proof or water proof
2. Absorption of ink with blotting paper
3. Rising of oil in lamp wicks
4. Movement of melted wax into the neck of a burning candle
REDUCTION OF SURFACE TENSION
1. Adding impurities such as detergent/soap, alcohol, oil, camphor, kerosene,
grease
2. By heating the liquid.
CLASSWORK 7
1. Define surface tension
2. Discuss three applications of surface tension
3. Highlight two ways of reducing surface tension
ASSIGNMENT 7
SECTION A
1. A few grains of table salt were put in a cup of cold water kept at constant
temperature and left undisturbed. Eventually, all the water tasted salty. This
action is due to: (a) osmosis (b) diffusion (c) conductivity (d) capillarity
2. Which of these is the effect of surface tension (a) the floating of the ship in
water (b) Soap bubbles are spherical in shape (c) the osmotic pressure of the
liquid (c) all of the above
3. Which of the following factors may be used to explain why a steel pin may
float in water? (a) the force of cohesion between the pin and the water (b)
the force of adhesion between the pin and the water (c) the surface tension of
water (d) the force due to capillarity
4. In which of the following is surface tension important? (a) the floating of the
ship in water (b) the floating of dry needing in water (c) the floating of a
balloon in air (d) the diffusion of sugar solution across a membrane
5. The rise or fall of a liquid in a narrow tube is due to (a) the friction between
the walls of the tube and the liquid (b) the viscosity of the liquid (c) the
osmotic pressure of the liquid (d) the surface tension of the liquid
SECTION B
1. Give two ways of reducing surface tension
2. Mention the three effects of surface tension
3. Enumerate three applications of surface tension
 WEEK EIGHT
CAPILLARITY – ADHESION, COHESION AND APPLICATION
 Definition of Capillarity
 Cohesion and adhesion
 Application of capillarity

Capillarity is defined as the tendency of liquids to rise or fall in narrow capillary

tubes.
Cohesive force is the force of attraction between molecules of the same substance
Adhesive force is the force of attraction between molecules of different substance
or it refers to the force which makes molecules of different substance to attract.
Application of Capillarity
Adhesion of water to glass is stronger than the cohesion of water, hence, when
water is spilled on a clean glass surface, it wets the glass. The cohesion of mercury
is greater than its adhesion to glass; hence, mercury spilled 0n glass forms small
spherical droplets.
CLASSWORK 8
1. What is cohesion?
2. Define adhesion
3. Differentiate between adhesion and cohesion

ASSIGNMENT 8
1. Write short note on the rise of water in a glass capillary tube using kinetic
theory
2. Explain why water forms a concave meniscus in a glass tube
3. Why does water wet a clean glass and water does not?
 WEEK NINE
ELASTICITY – HOOKE’S LAW, TENSILE STRESS, TENSILE STRAIN
AND YOUNG’S MODULUS
 Definition of elasticity
 Hooke’s law
 Tensile stress, tensile strain and young modulus
Elasticity
This is the tendency of a material to regain its original size or shape after
deformation or after it has been compressed or extended.
Hooke’s Law
It states that provided the elastic limit is not exceeded, the extension in an elastic
material (wire) is proportional to the force applied i.e. Fαe
F = Ke…………………………………………1
Where K is force constant, stiffness or elastic constant
Force Constant
This is the amount of force that causes a unit extension. It is the ratio of force to
extension of an elastic material.
K → force constant, stiffness or elastic constant
A →proportional limit
L →elastic limit
B →yield point
OL → elastic deform
BC → plastic deform
Hook’s law applies up to the elastic limit. For load beyond L the wire (material)
stretch permanently. The point where small ↑ in load produces large extension is
known as yield point.
Breaking point: This is the point where the wire cannot withstand any further
increase in load.
Yield point: it is the minimum stress/load acting on an elastic material beyond
which plastic deformation sets in.
Elastic limit: Is the maximum load (force) which a body can experience and still
regain its original size.
Tensile stress
This is the force acting on a unit CSA of a wire/rod or force per unit CSA of a
wire or rod.
Tensile stress = Force/Area
Tensile strain
This is the extension per unit length
Tensile strain = extension/Original length
Young modulus
It can be defined as the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain
Young modules = tensile stress/ tensile strain
CLASSWORK 9
1. What is elasticity?
2. Write short note on the following terminology as used in elasticity: (a)
elastic limit (b) elastic constant (c) yield point (d) breaking point
3. State Hooke’s law of elasticity
ASSIGNMENT 9
SECTION A
1. Young’s modulus of elasticity is the ratio of stress to strain, provided the
load does not exceed the (a) breaking point (b) elastic limit (c) yield point
(d) stress limit
2. The ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain is known as ….. (a) modulus of
rigidity (b) modulus of elasticity (c) Young’s modulus (d) shear modulus
3. The SI unit of tensile stress is ….. (a) N/m (b) Nm (c) N/m2 (d) m2
4. Hooke’s law states that (a) F α A (b)F α e (c) E α F (d) E α A
 5. The spiral spring of a spring balance is 25.0cm long when 5N hangs on it
and 30.0cm when the weight is 10N. What is the length of the spring if the
weight is 3N assuming Hooke’s law is obeyed? (a) 15.0cm (b) 17.0cm (c)
20.0cm (d) 23.0cm
SECTION B
1. Define young modulus of elasticity
2. (a) Sketch the graph of the relation between the extension of a spiral
spring and the load attached to it when it is gradually loaded up to
elastic limit. Indicate the following points: elastic limit, yield point,
maximum load, and breaking point. (b) If the spring has a stiffness of
950Nm-1, what work will be done in extending the spring by 60mm?
3. A force of 80N applied at the end of a wire of length 5m and radius
4cm produces an extension of 0.24mm. Calculate the: (a) stress on the
wire (b) strain on the wire (π=3.14)
 WEEK TEN
ENERGY IN ELASTIC MATERIALS
 Force in a bar
 Energy stored in a wire
 Energy stored per unit area
Force in A Bar
When a bar is heated and then prevented from contracting as it cools, a
considerable force is exerted at the end of the bar. Given a bar of a young modulus
E, a cross sectional area A, a linear expansivity of magnitude α and a decrease in
temperature of Ө, then
E = stress/strain = F/A/e/L
=F/A х L/e
E = FL/Ae
F = EAe/L ………………………….1
Recall, Linear expansivity α = change in length/original length х temperature
change
α = e/L х Ө
e = αLӨ
F = EAαeLӨ/eL
F = EAαӨ ……………………………2
Energy Stored in a Wire
The application of force on any wire provided the elasticity limit is not exceeded is
proportional to the extension provided.
Consequently, the force in the wire has increase from zero to F
Average force = f + O/2 = f/2
Recall work done = Average force х distance
W = f/2 x e = ½ Fe ………………………….3
Substitute equation 1 into 3
W = EAe2/2L……………………………….4
Energy Stored Per Unit Volume
WV = ½ X Stress X Strain…………………..5
This implies that WV = Ee2/2L2
Substances which lengthen considerable and undergo plastic deformation until they
break are known as ductile substance e.g. lead, copper, wrought iron.
Substances which break after the elastic limit is reached are known as brittle
substance e.g. glass and high carbon steel. It should be noted that brass, bronze and
many alloys appears to have no yield point. By this we mean that this material
increase in length beyond the elastic limit as the lead is increased without the
sudden appearance of a plastic stage.
CLASSWORK 10
1. A uniform steel wire of length 10m and are of cross section 2x10 -6m2 is
extended by 1mm. Calculate the energy stored in the wire if the elastic limit
is not exceeded (young modulus = 2x1011n/m2)
2. Calculate the energy stored in a spring if the force constant is 100n/m 2 and
the spiral spring is compressed by 0.015m.
3. A steel rod of cross sectional area 2cm 2 is heated to 100˚C and then
prevented from contracting when it cooled to 10˚C. Find the force exerted on
the steel = 12 х 10-6/K and young modulus is 2х1011N/m2
ASSIGNMENT 10
1. Show that F = EAαӨ when a bar is heated and then prevented from
contracting as it cools
2. A steel rod of cross sectional area 2cm 2 is heated to 100˚C and then
prevented from contracting when it cooled to 10˚C. Find the force exerted on
the steel = 12 х 10-6/K and young modulus is 2 х1011N/m2
3. A uniform steel wire of length 4m and are of cross section 3x10 -6m2 is
extended by 1mm. Calculate the energy stored in the wire if the elastic limit
is not exceeded (young modulus = 2x1011n/m2)
WEEK ELEVEN
Revision

WEEK TWELVE
Examination