Biophysics Problem 30
For the human tibia bone the ultimate tensile strength (the point at which fracture occurs) is \(1.4 \times 10^8 \; N\; m^{-2}.\) What is the strain at the point of fracture? Assume that Hooke's Law is valid up to the point of fracture.
Recall Hooke's Law:
\(\text{stress} = Y \times \text{strain}\)
where \(Y = 2 \times 10^{10}\; N/m^2\) (found on page 103 of your textbook).
In this case, the stress is the ultimate tensile strength. You should be able to make a direct substitution, and get:
\(\text{strain} = 7 \times 10^{-3} \) (Note that this is a dimensionless ratio.)