A diffraction approach to assess the elastic properties of a nylon string

Abstract

The Young’s modulus of a nylon string has been determined experimentally by combining elasticity theory and wave optics. A diffraction experiment has been setup to determine the change in the string diameter for different tensile forces applied by means of hanging weights. A linear elasticity model has been used to calculate the Young's modulus. A simple method has been provided which could be used as the basis of an experiment for introductory university level.