Biophysics Problem 32
If the leg bones described in Question 31 are \(90 \;cm\) long, what is the amount of compression in each leg at the fracture point? Assume that the leg bones remain elastic under compression until fracture, which occurs at a stress of \(1.4 \times 10^8\;N\;m^{-2}.\)
Hooke's Law applies in compression (as in this problem) as well as in tension.
From the table on page 103 of your text, \(Y = 2 \times 10^{10} \;N\; m^2.\)
You should be able to substitute and calculate the change of length now. (In the above formula, \(L\) is the leg length).
The stress was given in the problem, and the leg length is \(0.9 \;m.\)
You should have found that \(L = 0.0063 \;m.\)