
What is the difference between hard, tough, strong and stiff materials? Can someone please give me definitions of these terms and examples of materials which show these properties?
Answer
450.9k+ views
1 likes
Hint: The above characteristics i.e. harness, toughness, strength and the stiffness are the properties of matter, that determine their behavior on action of force. All the above properties enable selecting the appropriate materials in case of engineering design. Hence the above properties can be defined behavior of the material on the action of force and the respective change in properties.
Complete step-by-step solution:
Properties like hardness, toughness, strength and the stiffness are mechanical properties of matter. These properties of materials define its behavior under applied forces.
Strength is defined as the ability or the capacity of a material to withstand or support a load without a fracture. The strength of a material gives us the idea up to what extent the specific material can bear the load without breaking.
Hardness of a material is the ability to resist scratches, penetration and also plastic deformation. An example of such material is diamond which cannot easily be scratched or cannot be broken into pieces i.e. rather penetrates under the action of hydraulic press.
Toughness is the ability of a material to withstand shock loading or impact fracture occurs. This property gives us an idea whether if we throw something on a material what is its tendency to break under the given impact.
Stiffness of a material is the force required to change the dimension of the material by one unit. Stiffness gives us an idea what is the possibility of the change in length of a material under the action of force.
Note: It is to be noted that stiffness is a geometrical property. To understand this better, take a piece of paper and start folding it. Initially it is very easy to fold the paper as it is less stiff. But as we keep on increasing the number of folds the stiffness increases as a result it becomes difficult to fold the paper.
Complete step-by-step solution:
Properties like hardness, toughness, strength and the stiffness are mechanical properties of matter. These properties of materials define its behavior under applied forces.
Strength is defined as the ability or the capacity of a material to withstand or support a load without a fracture. The strength of a material gives us the idea up to what extent the specific material can bear the load without breaking.
Hardness of a material is the ability to resist scratches, penetration and also plastic deformation. An example of such material is diamond which cannot easily be scratched or cannot be broken into pieces i.e. rather penetrates under the action of hydraulic press.
Toughness is the ability of a material to withstand shock loading or impact fracture occurs. This property gives us an idea whether if we throw something on a material what is its tendency to break under the given impact.
Stiffness of a material is the force required to change the dimension of the material by one unit. Stiffness gives us an idea what is the possibility of the change in length of a material under the action of force.
Note: It is to be noted that stiffness is a geometrical property. To understand this better, take a piece of paper and start folding it. Initially it is very easy to fold the paper as it is less stiff. But as we keep on increasing the number of folds the stiffness increases as a result it becomes difficult to fold the paper.
Latest Vedantu courses for you
Grade 10 | CBSE | SCHOOL | English
Vedantu 10 CBSE Pro Course - (2025-26)
School Full course for CBSE students
₹37,300 per year
Recently Updated Pages
Master Class 11 Business Studies: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 Economics: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 Accountancy: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 Computer Science: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 Maths: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 English: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Trending doubts
Which one is a true fish A Jellyfish B Starfish C Dogfish class 11 biology CBSE

Difference Between Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells

1 ton equals to A 100 kg B 1000 kg C 10 kg D 10000 class 11 physics CBSE

One Metric ton is equal to kg A 10000 B 1000 C 100 class 11 physics CBSE

1 Quintal is equal to a 110 kg b 10 kg c 100kg d 1000 class 11 physics CBSE

Net gain of ATP in glycolysis a 6 b 2 c 4 d 8 class 11 biology CBSE
