Forces & Elasticity

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Changing the shape of an object

Forces can stretch, bend or compress an object
To change the shape of a stationary object more than one force must act: a spring stretched at one end with the other end fixed has the pull at one end and the reaction of the support at the other. A single force would just move it
Elastic deformation: the object returns to its original shape when the forces are removed
Inelastic deformation: the object does not return to its original shape; it is permanently stretched

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Changing the shape of an object
Hooke's Law
Required Practical 6: force and extension of a spring

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