Definition:Elastic Modulus

This page is about Elastic Modulus. For other uses, see Modulus.

Definition

An elastic modulus is a rato of stress to strain for a body or a substance which obeys Hooke's Law.

Hence an elastic modulus is the slope of the linear region of a stress-strain diagram.

The type of elastic modulus is dependent on the type of strain under discussion.

Bulk Modulus

Let $B$ be an elastic body.

The bulk modulus of $B$ is a physical property of $B$ which measures its resistance to change in volume without change of shape.

It is defined as the ratio of compressive stress per surface area of $B$ to its change of volume per unit volume associated with this stress, assuming uniform pressure over the surface of $B$.

Also known as

An elastic modulus is also known as a modulus of elasticity.

Also see

• Definition:Elastic Constant, of which an elastic modulus is an example

• Results about elastic moduli can be found here.

Linguistic Note

The plural of modulus is moduli.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): elastic modulus
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): modulus: 5. (elastic modulus)
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): elastic modulus
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): modulus: 5. (elastic modulus)