The work done to stretch an elastic material by a certain percentage can be calculated using the formula W = ½kx², derived from Hooke's Law. For a distal biceps tendon stretched by 12%, the work done would depend on the tendon's spring constant and initial length, neither of which are provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how much work must be done to stretch the length of the distal biceps tendon by 12%, we need to assume the tendon behaves like a linearly elastic material, which can be described by Hooke's Law. Hooke's Law states that the force required to stretch or compress a spring by some distance x from its equilibrium position is proportional to that distance. The law is formulated as F = kx, where F is the force applied, x is the displacement from the equilibrium position, and k is the spring constant specific to the material.
The work done in stretching the tendon is the integral of the force over the distance stretched, which can be mathematically represented by the equation W = ½kx², where W is the work done, k is the spring constant, and x is the extension from the equilibrium position. Using this principle, if you know the initial length of the tendon and the spring constant, k, you can calculate the work done by plugging these values into the equation.
Since the problem does not provide specific numerical values for the initial length or the spring constant of the tendon, we cannot compute an exact value for the work done. However, if these values were provided, you could calculate the work by multiplying the square of the extension (which is 12% of the original length) by half of the spring constant.