Final answer:
Without the shear modulus, we cannot calculate the shear deformation of the vertebra when subjected to a shearing force of 500 N. Shear modulus is an essential material property required for such calculations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the shear deformation of a vertebra subjected to a shearing force of 500 N, we would need to know the material's shear modulus. However, since the question does not provide the shear modulus of the vertebra's material and assumes we treat the vertebra as a cylinder, we cannot calculate this deformation without additional information. In practical scenarios, shear modulus values are determined experimentally for different materials and are necessary for such calculations in topics related to material science and engineering.