Strain
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Definition
Strain is the dimensionless ratio of a material's deformation (change in length) to its original length under applied stress: ε = ΔL/L₀.
Explanation
A 1-meter steel rod that stretches 0.001 m under load has a strain of 0.001, or 0.1%. Steel remains elastic (returns to original shape) up to strains of about 0.2%. Beyond the yield strain, permanent plastic deformation occurs. Strain gauges bonded to structures measure deformation electrically, enabling real-time monitoring of bridges, aircraft wings, and medical implants.
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RELATED TERMS
Torque
Torque is the rotational equivalent of force, equal to the applied force multiplied by the perpendicular distance from the pivot point, measured in newton-meters (N·m) or pound-feet (lb·ft).
Stress
Stress is the internal force per unit area within a material resulting from externally applied forces, measured in pascals (Pa) or pounds per square inch (psi).
Viscosity
Viscosity is a fluid's resistance to deformation or flow, quantifying internal friction between fluid layers; dynamic viscosity is measured in pascal-seconds (Pa·s) or centipoise (cP).
RPM
RPM (revolutions per minute) is a unit of rotational speed measuring how many complete turns an object makes in one minute.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched before it fractures, measured in megapascals (MPa) or pounds per square inch (psi).