NEIEP Mechanics Practice Exam

What is the term for when a load is added to a wire rope, it stretches, and when the load is removed, it returns to its original length?

1. Permanent Stretch

2. Elastic Stretch

3. Dynamic Stretch

4. Static Stretch

The correct answer is: Elastic Stretch

The appropriate term for the scenario described is elastic stretch. This occurs when a load is applied to a wire rope, causing it to stretch as the material deforms. The key characteristic of elastic stretch is that once the load is removed, the wire rope returns to its original length, effectively demonstrating the principle of elasticity in materials. This behavior is a fundamental property of many materials, including metals and fibers, which can undergo reversible deformation within certain limits. In contrast, permanent stretch refers to a situation where the deformation remains even after the load is removed; that is, the material does not return to its original length. Dynamic stretch could imply a scenario involving dynamic loads that cause oscillatory or impact stresses, but it does not specifically address the reversible nature of the stretching. Static stretch often describes conditions where a constant load is applied without movement, but it similarly does not capture the complete behavior of returning to original dimensions under removal of load. Thus, elastic stretch is the most accurate term in this context, as it encapsulates the reversible nature of the stretching phenomenon.