Question

Which is more elastic, rubber or steel? Explain.

Answer 1

Steel, because a body is said to be more elastic depending on how fast it gains its original shape after removal of external (deforming) force. When a force is applied to steel it is deformed but it immediately regains its original shape within a fraction of seconds which is not in the case of rubber. For steel, we require a lot of force to deform a steel wire for a small change in length. In case of rubber, a small amount of force can produce a lot of deformation. Such materials, in which a small force can cause a large deformation, are called elastomers. Rubber is an elastomer.