Elastics, Plastics and Hooke's Law
Some materials increase in size when stretched, decrease in size when compressed, and snap back to their original shape when the deforming force is withdrawn. Such materials are said to be elastic. If the force exceeds some threshold value however, the materials do not regain their original shape after the deforming force is withdrawn. The point at which this occurs is referred to as the elastic limit (elastic limit is defined as the point beyond which an elastic material does not regain its shape after the deforming force is withdrawn). Examples of elastic materials are rubber, steel, and coils (springs). ...read more.
