Question

For a constant force, a rope breaks due to stress. Which of the following is useful to reduce the stress?

(a) Increase the length of the rope

(b) Apply small force

(c) Increase the cross sectional area of the rope

(d) Use a different material of rope

This question was addressed to me by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

My question comes from Elasticity in section Thermal Properties of Matter of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) Increase the cross sectional area of the rope

Easy explanation: Stress = Force/Area

For a constant force, if the area is small, stress is large. If the area is large, stress is small. Therefore by increasing the cross sectional area stress can be reduced considerably.