Steel is

Options

A. less elastic than rubber
B. more elastic than rubber
C. as elastic as rubber
D. more plastic than rubber

Answer

To understand the elasticity of steel compared to rubber, we can analyze the concept of elasticity using the formula for Young's modulus, which is a measure of the stiffness of a material.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Elasticity**:
Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being deformed. The more elastic a material is, the more it can stretch or compress without permanent deformation.

2. **Young's Modulus**:
The elasticity of a material can be quantified using Young's modulus (Y), which is defined as:
\[ Y = \frac{FL}{A \Delta L} \]
where:
- \( F \) = force applied,
- \( L \) = original length of the material,
- \( A \) = cross-sectional area,
- \( \Delta L \) = change in length.

3. **Comparing Steel and Rubber**:
- Steel is known to have a high Young's modulus, indicating that it is very stiff and can withstand a lot of stress without deforming significantly.
- Rubber, on the other hand, has a lower Young's modulus, meaning it is more flexible and can stretch more easily under the same amount of force.

4. **Conclusion**:
Since the Young's modulus of steel is greater than that of rubber, we conclude that steel is more elastic than rubber. This means that for the same amount of force applied, steel will deform less than rubber.

### Final Statement:
Thus, we can say that steel is more elastic than rubber because it has a higher Young's modulus, indicating that it can withstand greater stress without undergoing significant deformation.

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