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What does it mean when objects have different elastic limits?

a. They cannot deform
b. They have different breaking points
c. They deform differently under force
d. They have the same elasticity

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Different elastic limits of objects imply that they deform irreversibly under force at different stress levels. Elasticity allows materials to return to their original shape and is governed by microscopic structures. Materials with different elastic limits will deform differently when subjected to stress.

Step-by-step explanation:

When objects have different elastic limits, it means that they will become permanently deformed at different levels of stress. The elastic limit is the maximum stress that a material can endure before it begins to undergo plastic deformation, where the material will not return to its original shape after the stress is removed. If two objects have different elastic limits, one might be able to withstand a greater load before it becomes permanently deformed compared to the other.

Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after a load that causes deformation is removed. This characteristic is due to the microscopic structure of the material, such as the stretching of polymer chains in rubber or the resizing of crystalline cells in metals. Once the stress is beyond the elastic limit, the material behaves plastically and is irreversibly changed. Therefore, if materials have different elastic limits, they deform differently under force, which is part of their unique mechanical properties.

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