Final answer:
The tensile strength of aluminum is approximately 3.2 × 10⁴ lb/in². This value represents the maximum stress that aluminum can withstand before breaking when subjected to tension.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tensile strength of aluminum refers to the maximum stress that aluminum can withstand while being stretched or pulled before failing or breaking. This measurement is often used to determine the suitability of a material for certain engineering applications. In terms of tensile strength, aluminum has an ultimate stress value of 2.2 × 108 Pa (Pascals), which can be expressed as approximately 3.2 × 104 lb/in2 (pounds per square inch) for a rod with a 1-inch cross-sectional area. To determine how long an aluminum wire can be before the stress at its upper end reaches its proportionality limit (the limit beyond which the material will deform permanently), one must consider the weight of the wire itself in addition to any external load, as well as the material's density and cross-sectional area.