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Lesson 02

Stress and Strain

Define and apply stress and strain in simple material problems.

Objectives

Lesson outcomes

  • Define stress as force per unit cross-sectional area and use it in calculations.
  • Define strain as extension per unit original length and use it in calculations.
  • Use stress and strain to compare how different materials deform under load.
  • Link stress-strain behaviour to the Young modulus.
Syllabus

CIE 9702 syllabus points

1 linked

Definitions

Required definitions

  • Stress

    force per unit cross-sectional area.

  • Strain

    extension per unit original length.

  • Young modulus

    stress divided by strain in the linear elastic region.

Lesson Notes

Student guidance and lesson notes

Overview

Define and apply stress and strain in simple material problems. Use this page to organise the main ideas, worked examples, and linked resources.

What You Need to Know

  • Apply stress and strain in simple material problems.
  • Use the stress-strain graph and equations to connect material behaviour with calculation work.
  • Use at least one worked example, observation, or practical link to make the idea concrete.

How to Work Through It

  1. Start with the prior knowledge, context, or recall questions for this lesson.
  2. Work through the main explanation, method, diagram, or calculation for this lesson.
  3. Complete the guided practice, discussion, calculations, or practical application.
  4. Review your learning with an exit prompt, short question, or summary task.

Check Your Understanding

  • Can you answer a checkpoint question aligned to the main objective(s)?
  • Can you give a short verbal, written, or numerical response that shows secure understanding?

Common Mistakes

  • Watch out for the likely misconception, error, or weak step in this lesson.
  • Use the comparison, model answer, or explanation that corrects it.

Next Steps

  • Complete the homework, retrieval task, or resource revisit linked to this lesson.
  • Note what you need to carry forward into the next lesson.
Lesson Resources

Materials for this lesson

Use these videos, slide decks, documents, or links to work through the lesson.

Worksheet

Stress & Strain - Class Questions

Class questions on stress, strain, and material behaviour.

Open resource