20 Physics -- Elasticity

The material in human bones and elephant bones essentially the same, but an elephant has thicker legs. Explain why, in terms of breaking stress. 

The material in human bones and elephant bones essentially the same, but an elephant has thicker legs. Explain why, in terms of breaking stress. 

Breaking stress may occur when the material is excessively stretched or compressed. To withstand the heavy weight of an elephant, it has thicker legs so that the ratio of the weight to the cross-section area of the legs does not exceed the breaking stress of the bone material. To withstand the weight of a man, he can have thin legs and the ratio of his weight to the cross-section area of the leg will not exceed the breaking stress for the bone material. This is why an elephant has thicker legs.

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