Core Practical 5: Determine the Young

modulus of a material
Dan Kimberley
January 31, 2019

1 Preparation
1.1 Aim
To take measurements of a long wire to determine the Young modulus for copper.

1.2 Underlying Physics

Derivation of equation used to calculate Young Modulus.

σ
E=

Mg
σ=
A
x
=
L
Mg L
E= ×
A x
M gL
E=
Ax
Gradient of graph = Mass / Extension

Thus,

gLm
E=
A

References - www.wikipedia.com

1
1.3 Diagram of Equipment

1.4 Method
• Setup equipment as shown

• Measure the original length L of the wire

• Use vernier calipers to determine the diameter.
• Add mass then record extension and added mass.

• Look out for when the material exceeds its elastic limit.

1.5 Risk Assessment

Risk How to minimise

Wire under tension so could snap Wear safety goggles
Masses are heavy Soften the fall with bubble wrap

1.6 Uncertainties

Uncertainty Raw Uncertainty

Length of Wire ± 0.001m
Extension ± 0.01m
Diameter of Wire ± 0.01mm

2 Results
2.1 Table

Mass /kg Extension /m

0 0
0.1 0.001
0.2 0.003
0.3 0.006
0.4 0.008
0.5 0.01
0.6 0.012

2
2.2 Graph

2.3 Analysis
The diameter was measured to be 0.20mm ± 0.01mm = ±5%

πd2 π∗0.022
Therefore area = 4 = 4 = π × 10−4 mm2 = π × 10−10 m2 ± 10%

The length was recorded to be 3.57m ±0.01m = ±0.003%

This graph of Extension against mass gave a gradient of 2.107, therefore the
inverse gradient is 0.4746 ±5%.

Calculating the young modulus using this value:

(9.81)(3.57)(0.4746)
E= 10−10 = 1.7 × 1011 ± 15%

The true Young Modulus of 36 swg Copper is 1.3 × 1011 and

0.85 × 1.7 × 1011 = 1.4 × 1011

Therefore the experiment was succesful in calculating the true value of the
Young Modulus of Copper with 7% error within uncertainty bounds.