Which one of the following stresses would be most likely to cause a bone to fracture?
A) tensile stress
B) compressive stress
C) sheer stress
D) bulk stress
Wouldn't sheer snap the bone?
bulk
B) compressive stress
The stress that is most likely to cause a bone to fracture is compressive stress (B).
To understand why compressive stress is the most likely cause of bone fracture, we need to understand the different types of stress that can act on a material, such as a bone.
1. Tensile stress (A): Tensile stress occurs when two forces are pulling apart from each other, trying to stretch the material. In the case of a bone, tensile stress is less likely to cause a fracture because bones are naturally designed to withstand tension due to the presence of collagen fibers.
2. Compressive stress (B): Compressive stress occurs when two forces are pushing against each other, trying to squeeze or compress the material. A bone is most likely to fracture when excessive compressive stress is applied to it. For example, if a heavy object falls directly onto a bone, the bone will experience a compressive force, increasing the risk of fracture.
3. Shear stress (C): Shear stress occurs when forces act parallel to each other but in opposite directions, trying to slide past each other. While shear stress can contribute to a bone fracture, it is generally less likely to directly cause a fracture compared to compressive stress. Shear stress is more commonly associated with injuries such as sprains and torn ligaments.
4. Bulk stress (D): Bulk stress refers to the response of a material to changes in pressure or compression in all directions. It is not directly related to bone fractures.
In summary, compressive stress (B) is the most likely type of stress to cause a bone fracture.