The study of how the properties of matter arise from its structure at all scales and of how processing can be used to modify those properties (often in pursuit of a specific application).
4
votes
2answers
744 views
Stress tensor in a cube with shear forces
I want to calculate stress matrix in a cube with two faces parallel to x axis and perpendicular to z axis (sorry I don't know how can I put a picture in this post).
There are two force uniform ...
2
votes
2answers
437 views
Mnemonics to remember various properties of materials
I'm trying to figure out how to remember that
hardness: how resistant it is to deformation
toughness: how resistant it is to brittle failures
stress: force on a surface area
strength: ability to ...
2
votes
3answers
192 views
Material resistency to lasers beam
Keeping the average power constant, why some materials are more eager to be damaged by pulsed laser with respect of C.W. lasers, or viceversa?
When i talk about pulsed lasers i think for examples of ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
What determines the color of a pure substance and is it possible to predict it?
I have always wondered why salt is white, water is clear and gold is, well, gold. What determines the color of a substance? Does it have something to do with the electrons? And is it possible to ...
18
votes
1answer
455 views
Why is tape so hard to rip when it is not broken, but so easy once there is the tiniest cut in it?
Question says it all. Ripping a piece of tape along the width is tough, stretches the tape, messes it up, etc, but if you put the tiniest nick at the top, it rips without any problems. Why is that?
