Abstract
The measurement of Young's modulus of elasticity is one of the classical assignments that frequently appear in the basic laboratory courses of physicists and engineers. It is not easy to innovate on this well-established subject. However, it is possible to modify or extend it. This article describes an extended measurement of Young's modulus of elasticity containing, besides the traditional mechanical experiment, a less frequent gauge measurement. Although strain gauge measurements, supported by sophisticated electronic devices, are used in special laboratories performing stress analysis, the basis of this method is simple and can also be explained easily to a non-specialist. If highly accurate measurements are not required, the complicated and expensive electronic devices can be replaced by a common digital microvoltmeter with large input resistance. In this case the experiment can be designed as simultaneous electrical and mechanical measurements, enabling comparison of two independent experimental methods operating on one common sample. Such an approach is especially convenient for basic laboratory courses.