Elastic

:For other uses, see elasticity (economics) or rubber band.

Related Topics:
Elasticity (economics) - Rubber band

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In solid mechanics, the adjective elastic characterises both collisions between, and deformations of, physical objects.

Related Topics:
Solid mechanics - Collision - Deformation

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A collision is perfectly elastic if the total kinetic energy of the colliding objects is conserved as kinetic energy (overall energy is conserved in all collisions, whether elastic or not). No macroscopic collisions are truly elastic, although some come close. A frequent cause of highly inelastic collisions occurs when one or more of the objects suffers a plastic deformation.

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The deformation of a solid is part of the study of solid mechanics. In solid mechanics, a material is elastic if it changes shape due to an applied load, but that when the load is removed, recovers its original shape. Further, the deformation of an elastic material is related to the applied load, see also deflection.

Related Topics:
Solid mechanics - Deflection

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The elasticity of a solid is inversely proportional to the strength of the material. If the material is isotropic, its strength is characterized by the modulus of elasticity. Furthermore, if the material is isotropic, and a force is applied in one direction, the deformation in the other directions is governed by Poisson's ratio.

Related Topics:
Strength of the material - Isotropic - Modulus of elasticity - Poisson's ratio

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The word elastomer refers to a material which is very elastic, like rubber. The word elastic is often used colloquially to refer to an elastomeric material such as rubber or cloth/rubber combinations.

Related Topics:
Elastomer - Rubber

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