NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 9 Notes Mechanical Properties of Solids - Download PDF

NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 9 Notes Mechanical Properties of Solids - Download PDF

Vishal kumarUpdated on 17 Jul 2025, 12:59 AM IST

Have you ever tested how a metallic spring appears to be elongated when you pull it and it closed back immediately after letting it off? This common observation is a perfect demonstration of the teaching of Class 11 Physics Chapter on 8 on Mechanical Properties of Solids. This chapter explores ways that different materials respond to forces such as tension, compression, and shear and engineers rely on this information in designing bridges, buildings and parts of machines to resist stress. The chapter is an important for CBSE Class 11 Physics syllabus as it underlies concepts of material strength and deformation that not only play a vital role in the examination preparation but also constitutes a prominent part of competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET and other engineering or medical-related entrance exams.

This Story also Contains

  1. NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 8: Download PDF
  2. NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 8
  3. Mechanical Properties of Solids Previous year Question and Answer
  4. NCERT Class 11 Notes Chapter-Wise
  5. NCERT Books and Syllabus
NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 9 Notes Mechanical Properties of Solids - Download PDF
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Class 11 Physics Notes of Mechanical Properties of Solids, provided by subject experts, present complex ideas in simplified ways that help students to understand them easily. The notes emphasize clarity of concepts and are perfect to refresh during rapid revision, numerical problems, or revising important topics before exams. These notes include important formulas and derivations to use when solving problems, diagrams to improve clarity, practice questions and concept highlights. You need to study this chapter well, whether you are taking up the CBSE board examination or aiming to score well in competitive entrance examinations. The notes are a solid support guide that will assist you in revision and ensure a confident face towards theory and numericals.

Also, students can refer,

NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 8: Download PDF

Download the PDF version of the NCERT Notes for Mechanical Properties of Solids using the link provided. You can save the PDF at any convenient location and view it anytime. It is great for revision as well as self-study, without requiring an internet connection.

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NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 8

NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 8 Notes Mechanical Properties of Solids provide a brief but clear outline of how solids react to such forces as stretching, compression, hinging, and bending. These notes helps students help in grasping some of the most important concepts such as stress, strain, Hooke's law and are ideal in brush up or revision and examinations.

Mechanical characteristics:-

1. Elasticity: Elasticity is a quality that allows an object to restore its original shape after an external force is removed. This implies it shows us how flexible a person's body is. Take, for example, a spring. When a spring is stretched, its shape changes, and when the external force is removed, the spring returns to its original position.

2. Plasticity is the opposite of elasticity. The term "property" refers to a state of permanent deformation. Even when the external force is eliminated, the object never returns to its previous shape. Plastic is the name for these types of items.

3. Ductility: It refers to the ability to be pulled into thin wires or sheets. for example:-Small gold

4. Strength: The ability to resist a high level of applied stress without failing.

Stress

  • The restoring force per unit area is known as stress.
  • When we apply an external force to the body in order to change its shape, the body creates a restoring force in the opposite direction.
  • As an example, when an external force is applied to a rubber ball at the same time, the ball creates a force that acts in the opposite direction.
  • The restoring force is the opposite force that arises in the ball when an external force is applied. Both forces have the same magnitude.

Stress = F/A (mathematically)

Where F is the restoring force that emerges in the body as a result of the force we apply.

A=area

  • S.I. Unit:- N/m2

Longitudinal stress

  • When a force is applied to the cross-sectional area of a cylindrical body, longitudinal stress is defined as the restoring force per unit area.

Shearing or Tangential Stress

  • Force per unit area is restored when the applied force is parallel to the cross-sectional area of the body.
  • There is relative displacement between the opposing faces of the body.

Volumetric Stress

  • It produces a change in volume and density, shape remaining the same.

  • It occurs in solids, liquids or gases

  • In the case of fluids, only bulk stress can be found.

  • It is equal to a change in pressure because the change in pressure is responsible for change in volume.

  • Volume stress $=\frac{F}{A}=P$

Strain

  • Strain is a deformation measurement that represents the displacement of particles in the body in relation to a reference length.
  • It explains how and what happens to a body when it is put under stress.
  • Mathematically:

Strain = ΔL/L, where ΔL is the length change.

L stands for the original length.

  • Because it is a ratio of two quantities, it is a dimensionless quantity.

Strain Types:

  1. Longitudinal Strain
  • The longitudinal tension causes a change in the original length of the body. When we apply longitudinal stress to a body, the body either elongates or compresses as a result of the change in length. Longitudinal Strain is a measurement of length change.
  • Longitudinal Strain = ΔL/L
  1. Shearing Strain
  • Shearing strain is the measurement of the relative displacement of the body's opposed faces as a result of shearing force. If we apply force parallel to the cross-sectional area, the opposite faces of the body will be displaced relative to each other. Shearing strain is a measurement of how far the two opposing faces have moved away from each other.
  • Mathematically:-

Consider a cube with an initial length of L that is in a certain position and is shifted by an angle θ. Let x represent the modest relative displacement.

  • Shearing strain= x/θ
  1. Volume Strain
  • The ratio of change in volume to the original volume as a result of hydraulic stress is known as volume strain. When a fluid applies stress to a body, the volume of the body changes without changing the shape of the body.
  • Volume strain = ΔV/V

Hooke's Law

  • Within the elastic limit, Hooke's law asserts that the stress developed is directly proportional to the strain produced in a body. Consider a situation in which the body is subjected to external force. As a result, tension arises in the body, and this stress causes a strain in the body, implying that the body will deform. Strain is formed as a result of stress.
  • According to Hooke's law, as strain rises, so does stress, and vice versa. All elastic substances are subject to Hooke's law. It does not apply to the deformation of plastic. In terms of mathematics:

stress ∝ strain
stress = k × strain

The proportionality constant, k, is also known as the modulus of elasticity.

Stress-Strain Curve

C:\Users\GOD IS GREAT\Pictures\Stress-Strain-Curve-For-Ductile-Materials.png

  • It's a curve that depicts the relationship between stress and strain.
  • The stress (which is the same magnitude as the applied force per unit area) and the strain produced are represented on a graph. The graph demonstrates how a specific material deforms as the load increases.
  • The line that connects O and A is a straight line. This suggests that strain is directly related to stress. Hooke's Law is relevant in this area. The material behaves like an elastic body in this area.
  • Stress and strain are not directly related in the region between A and B. However, as the force is withdrawn, the material returns to its original dimensions. They have elasticity to them.
  • The yield point B(also known as elastic limit) in the curve indicates that the material will be elastic until this point, and the stress corresponding to point B is known as the material's yield strength (Sy). The elastic region refers to the area between O and B.
  • We can observe that even tiny changes in stress cause strain to increase rapidly from point B to point D. Even when the force is removed, the material does not return to its former location. Stress is zero at this stage, but strain is not since the body has changed shape. Plastic deformation has occurred in the material. It is claimed that the substance is permanently fixed.
  • The ultimate tensile strength (Su) of the material is shown by point D on the graph. We can observe that as we progress from D to E, tension reduces while strain increases. Finally, a fracture occurs at point E. This indicates that the body has broken down.

Modulus of Elasticity

  • The elastic modulus is defined as the ratio of tension to strain. The elastic modulus is a property of each material.
  • This means that gold will have a specific elastic modulus value, rubber will have a specific elastic modulus value, and so on.

Young’s Modulus

  • Young's modulus is named after the physicist who first defined it.
  • The ratio of longitudinal stress to longitudinal strain is known as the longitudinal stress-to-strain ratio.
  • Y is the symbol for it.
  • Y can be written as longitudinal stress/longitudinal strain = σ/ ε

Modulus of Shear (Modulus of Rigidity)

  • The ratio of shearing stress to shearing strain is known as the shear modulus.
  • Modulus of Rigidity is another name for it.
  • The letter 'G' stands for it.
  • G=shearing stress/shearing strain = (F/A)/( Δx/L) = FL/A Δx
  • Relation between Young’s Modulus and Shear Modulus
  • Young's modulus is greater than the shear modulus.
  • G = Y/3 is there for most material

Bulk Modulus

  • The ratio of hydraulic stress to matching hydraulic strain is known as the bulk modulus.
  • The letter 'B' stands for this.
  • B = -p/(ΔV/V)

Here represents p =hydraulic stress, ΔV/V = hydraulic strain

  • B(solids) > B(liquids) >B(gases)

  • Compressibility: Compressibility refers to a substance's ability to withstand compression. Compressibility is the reciprocal of the bulk modulus.

The letter 'K' stands for this.

k=1/B = - (1/p) (ΔV/V)

k(solids)<k(liquids)<k(gases)

Work Done in Stretching the wire

  • When a body is in its natural shape, its potential energy corresponding to the molecular forces is minimum. When deformed, internal forces appear and work has to be done against these forces. Thus, the potential energy of the body is increased. This is called the elastic potential energy.

$
U=\frac{1}{2} \frac{Y A}{L}(\Delta L)^2
$

We can also write,

$
\begin{aligned}
& W=\frac{1}{2}\left[\frac{Y A \Delta L}{L}\right] \Delta L=\frac{1}{2}(\text { maximum stretching force }) \times \text { extension } \\
& W=\frac{1}{2} Y(A L)\left[\frac{\Delta L}{L}\right]^2=\frac{1}{2} \times Y \times \text { Volume } \times(\text { strain })^2
\end{aligned}
$

Also, Potential energy per unit volume $=\frac{1}{2} \times$ strain $\times$ stress

Mechanical Properties of Solids Previous year Question and Answer

Q1: A mild steel wire of length 2L and cross-sectional area A is stretched, well within elastic limit, horizontally between two pillars Figure mass m is suspended from the mid point of the wire. Strain in the wire is:

Answer:

$\begin{aligned}
& \Delta L=(A O+B O-A B) \\
& \Delta L=2[A O-L] \\
& \Delta L=2\left(\left(L^2+x^2\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}-L\right)
\end{aligned}$

$\begin{aligned}
&\Delta L=2 L\left[1+\frac{x^2}{2 L^2}-1\right]=\frac{x^2}{L}\\
&\text { Strain }=\frac{\Delta L}{2 L}=\frac{x^2}{2 L^2}
\end{aligned}$

Q2: A rigid bar of mass M is supported symmetrically by three wires each of length L. Those at each end are of copper and the middle one is of iron. The ratio of their diameters, if each is to have the same tension, is equal to:

Answer:

As the bar is supported symmetrically by the three wires, therefore extension in each wire is the same.
Let T be the tension in each wire and the diameter of the wire is D , then Young's modulus is $Y=\frac{\text { Stress }}{\text { Strain }}$

$
\begin{aligned}
& Y=\frac{\frac{F}{A}}{\frac{\Delta L}{L}} \\
& Y=\frac{F}{A} \times \frac{L}{\Delta L} \\
& Y=\frac{F}{\pi\left(\frac{D}{2}\right)^2} \times \frac{L}{\Delta L} \\
& Y=\frac{4 F L}{\pi D^2 \Delta L} \\
& \Rightarrow D^2=\frac{4 F L}{\pi \Delta L Y} \\
& \Rightarrow D=\sqrt{\frac{4 F L}{\pi \Delta L Y}}
\end{aligned}
$

As F and $\frac{L}{\Delta L}$ are constants.
Hence,
$D \propto \sqrt{\frac{1}{Y}}$
or
$D=\frac{K}{\sqrt{Y}}$
Now, we can find ratio as
$\frac{D_{\text {copper }}}{D_{\text {iron }}}=\sqrt{\frac{Y_{\text {iron }}}{Y_{\text {copper }}}}$

Q3: Consider two cylindrical rods of identical dimensions, one of rubber and the other of steel. Both the rods are fixed rigidly at one end of the roof. A mass M is attached to each of the free ends at the centre of the rods. Then:

(a) Both the rods will elongate but there shall be no perceptible change in shape

(b) The steel rod will elongate and change shape but the rubber rod will only elongate

(c) The steel rod will elongate without any perceptible change in shape, but the rubber rod will elongate and the shape of the bottom edge will change to an ellipse

(d) The steel rod will elongate, without any perceptible change in shape, but the rubber rod will elongate with the shape of the bottom edge tapered to a tip at the centre

Answer:

$\rightarrow$ It is given that there are two cylindrical rods with identical dimensions and both attached with mass M at their respective center.
$\rightarrow$ Both steel and rubber have different elastic properties.
$\rightarrow$ We know that steel is more elastic than rubber because the strain produced in rubber is more than that of steel.

Thus, when mass $M$ is attached at the center rubber will elongate with the change of the bottom edge tapered to a tip at the center while the steel will elongate but there won't be any perceptible change in its shape.
Hence, the correct option is (d)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Modulus of Elasticity according to Class 11 Physics chapter 9 notes?
A:

The elastic modulus is defined as the ratio of tension to strain.
The elastic modulus is a property of each material. 

This means that gold will have a specific elastic modulus value, and rubber will have a specific elastic modulus value, and so on. 

Q: What is Volume Strain as per Class 11 Mechanical Properties of Solids notes?
A:

Volume Strain 

The ratio of change in volume to the original volume as a result of hydraulic stress is known as volume strain. 

Q: What do you mean by Strain ?
A:

Strain 

Strain is a deformation measurement that represents the displacement of particles in the body in relation to a reference length. 

Q: What is Hooke's law?
A:

Hooke's law

Within the elastic limit, Hooke's law asserts that the stress developed is directly proportional to the strain produced in a body. 

Q: Are all of the important derivations covered in the physics chapter 9 notes for class 11th?
A:

No, the NCERT notes for Class 11 Physics chapter 9 do not include all of the important derivations. This NCERT note summarizes the chapter's important points and equations and can be used to review the Mechanical Properties of Solids. 

Q: How important is this chapter for the CBSE board exam, and how will these notes for Class 11 Mechanical Properties of Solids help?
A:

From the notes for Class 11 Physics chapter 9, students should expect 4 to 6 mark questions, and they can use this note for quick revision to help them improve their grades. 

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