A steel wire and a copper wire of equal length and equal cross-sectional area are joined end to end and the combination is subjected to a tension. Find the ratio of
(a) the stresses developed in the two wires and 

(b) the strains developed. Y of steel = 2x1011 N/m2. Y of copper =1.3x1011 N/m2.


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(a) Since both types of wires are joined end to end, the same load will be on the cross-sections of them. If the load = F and the area of cross-section =A, then stress developed in steel wire σ =F/A and the stress developed in copper wire σ¹ =F/A.  

The ratio σ/σ¹ =(F/A)/(F/A) = 1  

(b) Strain in copper wire = Stress in copper wire/Y =F/AY 

Similarly the strain in steel wire =F/AY' 

Where Y = Modulus of copper 

Y' = Modulus of steel 

strain in copper wire/strain in steel wire =(F/AY)/(F/AY') 

=Y'/Y 

=2.0 x10¹¹/1.3 x10¹¹ 

=2.0/1.3 

= 20/13