Stress – Definition and Types

In physics, stress is the force acting on the unit area of a material. The effect of stress on a body is named as strain. Stress can deform the body. How much force material experience can be measured using stress units. Stress can be categorized into three categories depending upon the direction of the deforming forces acting on the body. Let us study them one by one.

What Is Stress?

When the deforming force is applied to an object, the object deforms. In order to bring the object back to its original shape and size, there will be an opposing force generated inside the object.

This restoring force will be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the applied deforming force. The measure of this restoring force generated per unit area of the material is called stress.

Thus, Stress is defined as “The restoring force per unit area of the material”. It is a tensor quantity. Denoted by Greek letter σ. Measured using Pascal or N/m2. Mathematically expressed as –

\(\begin\sigma =\frac\end \)

Stress Units

Stress can be expressed using multiple units. Refer to the table given below for Stress units.

System of units Stress units
Fundamental units Kg.m -1 .s -2
SI (derived units) N.m2
SI (derived units) Pa or pascal
SI (mm)(derived units) M.Pa or N/(mm) 2
US unit (ft) lbf/ft 2
US unit (inch) Psi (lbf/inch 2 )

Types of Stress

There are several types of stress in physics but it is mainly categorized into two forms that are Normal Stress and Tangential or Shearing Stress. Some stress types are discussed in the points below.

Normal Stress:

As the name suggests, Stress is said to be Normal stress when the direction of the deforming force is perpendicular to the cross-sectional area of the body. The length of the wire or the volume of the body changes stress will be at normal. Normal stress can be further classified into two types based on the dimension of force-

Longitudinal Stress:

Consider a cylinder. When two cross-sectional areas of the cylinder are subjected to equal and opposite forces the stress experienced by the cylinder is called longitudinal stress.

Longitudinal Stress = Deforming Force / Area of cross-section = F/A

As the name suggests, when the body is under longitudinal stress-

The Longitudinal Stress either stretches the object or compresses the object along its length. Thus, it can be further classified into two types based on the direction of deforming force-

Tensile Stress

If the deforming force or applied force results in the increase in the object’s length then the resulting stress is termed as tensile stress. For example: When a rod or wire is stretched by pulling it with equal and opposite forces (outwards) at both ends.

Compressive Stress

If the deforming force or applied force results in the decrease in the object’s length then the resulting stress is termed as compressive stress. For example: When a rod or wire is compressed/squeezed by pushing it with equal and opposite forces (inwards) at both ends.

Bulk Stress or Volume Stress

When the deforming force or applied force acts from all dimensions resulting in the change of volume of the object then such stress in called volumetric stress or Bulk stress. In short, when the volume of body changes due to the deforming force it is termed as Volume stress.

Shearing Stress or Tangential Stress

When the direction of the deforming force or external force is parallel to the cross-sectional area, the stress experienced by the object is called shearing stress or tangential stress. This results in the change in the shape of the body

Summary

In short, stress can be visualized as –

Stress Types

Practice Questions For Stress

Q1: What is Stress?

Ans: Stress is the measure of restoring force per unit area.

Q2: What is the unit of Stress?

Ans: The unit of stress is pascal or N/m 2 .

Q3: What is the effect of deforming force?

Ans: The deforming force can change the shape or volume or size of the object.

Q4: What is the direction of the deforming force in the case of shearing stress?

Ans: The deforming force is parallel to the area of cross-section.

Q5: What is the nature of the restoring force?

Ans: The restoring force is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to deforming force or external force.

Q6: Name the types of normal stress.

Ans: Longitudinal stress and bulk or volume stress are two types of normal stress.

Q7: What is the direction of the deforming force in the case of longitudinal stress?

Ans: The deforming force is perpendicular to the area of cross-section.

Q8: Name the types of longitudinal stress.

Ans: Tensile stress and compressive stress are the two types of longitudinal stress.

Q9: Define longitudinal stress.

Ans: Stress experienced by an object along its length due to the presence of equal and opposite deforming forces perpendicular to the area of cross-section is called longitudinal stress.

Q10: What does bulk stress do to an object?

Ans: Bulk stress results in a change in the volume of the object.

Q11:What does tangential stress do to an object?

Ans: Tangential stress results in a change in the shape of the object.

Q12: Define tangential or shear stress.

Ans: When the direction of the deforming force or external force is parallel to the cross-sectional area, the stress experienced by the object is called shearing stress or tangential stress.

Q13: Give the expression for stress and explain the terms.

Ans: The expression for stress is given by

\(\begin\sigma =\frac\end \)

Q14:A rod is stretched by pulling at both the ends. Name the type of stress experienced by the rod.

Ans: Tensile stress.

Hope you have understood the topic Stress by learning what is stress? It’s formula, Stress units, types of stress like- Normal stress, shear stress or tangential stress, longitudinal stress, bulk stress or volume stress, tensile stress, compressive stress.

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