Question

The breaking stress of a material is σB = 10⁶ Nm^–2 and density is ρ = 5 × 10³ kgm^–3 . Determine the maximum length that can be hung without breaking.

Answer 1

Let l be the length hung. The weight will be

w = l αρ, where α is cross-sectional

The stress due to weight is maximum at the top end. Hence we expect fracture from the top. We avoid break of a top by writing

The maximum length is, then,

  

i.e., and across-sectional area