College Physics II – Mechanics, Sound, Oscillations, and Waves
Definition
Shear refers to the deformation of a material where parallel planes slide past one another. It occurs when forces are applied tangentially to a surface.
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Shear stress is defined as the force per unit area exerted parallel to the plane of interest, mathematically expressed as $\tau = \frac{F}{A}$.
Shear strain measures the distortion angle induced by shear stress, often represented as the tangent of the deformation angle.
Shear modulus (G) is a material's ability to resist shear deformation and is calculated using $G = \frac{\tau}{\gamma}$, where $\gamma$ is shear strain.
In static equilibrium problems, balancing shear forces is crucial for maintaining stability in structures and materials.
Different materials have distinct shear moduli; for instance, metals generally have higher shear moduli compared to polymers.
Review Questions
What is the formula for calculating shear stress?
How do you define shear modulus in terms of stress and strain?
Why is it important to consider shear forces when analyzing static equilibrium?
Related terms
Stress: The internal resistance offered by a material to external forces, measured as force per unit area.
Strain: The measure of deformation representing the displacement between particles in a material body.
Elastic Modulus: A property that measures a material's tendency to be deformed elastically (non-permanently) when a force is applied.