Final answer:
The maximum tensile force that an elephant tendon with a cross-sectional area of 1 cm² can withstand before failing is theoretically around 5000 Newtons, assuming a conservative tensile strength of 50 MPa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of tensile force that an elephant tendon can withstand before failing depends on the tensile strength of the tissue, which varies among different species and individuals. However, for the purpose of this question, let's assume we have an average value for the tensile strength of biological tissue, including tendons, which is approximately 30 to 100 MPa (MegaPascals).
To calculate the maximum force before failure, you would use the formula:
Force (F) = Tensile Strength (TS) × Cross-Sectional Area (A)
If we take a conservative tensile strength of 50 MPa (50 × 10¶ N/m²), and with an area of 1 cm² (1 × 10´ m²), the calculation would be:
F = 50 × 10¶ N/m² × 1 × 10´ m²
F = 50 × 10² N
F = 5000 N
So, theoretically, the tendon could withstand up to 5000 Newtons of tensile force before beginning to fail.