Measurement of the Young Modulus

Question: How do you measure the Young Modulus using the vernier gauge?
We ended up sticking the gauge to the copper wire to try and ensure accuracy, but the gauge itself was too stiff.

However although it was a good exercise in practical skills our result was horribly off target!

Answer:

There are two ways to solve your problem:(a) buy the special piece of apparatus designed for the measurement of the Young modulus

You will find the suggested experiment in the 16-19 Experiment guides.

(b) use thinner wire to increase the extension for a given load. I suggest you try SWG 32,
Clamp the wire to a suitable point and then hang weights on it carefully. Using a vertically mounted ruler (graduated in mm) held in a clamp stand close to the load you should be able to detect the right extension.

If you have a travelling microscope you could focus it on the bottom edge of the load and measure the extension in this way.