I keep getting “Young, bulk and shear moduli” questions wrong in Mechanical Properties of Solids. What's the trap?
saying a larger modulus means the material deforms more easily.
The usual trap: saying a larger modulus means the material deforms more easily. How to avoid it: large modulus means stiff. Go back to the definition — Young's modulus resists length change, bulk modulus resists volume change, and shear modulus resists shape change. A larger modulus means less strain for the same corresponding stress.
Key point
Young, bulk and shear moduli
Common mistake
saying a larger modulus means the material deforms more easily.
Memory tip
large modulus means stiff.
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