# Difference between stress and strength

The main difference between stress and strength is that stress is the resistance offered by the object to the deformation and strength is the maximum value of stress that the material can withstand.

## Stress:

Stress is the resistance per unit area developed by an object against external forces to avoid deformation.

Mathematically the stress is given by,

Stress = \frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Resisting Area}}

The stress is denoted by the symbol ‘\sigma’ and measured in terms of N/m² or pascal.

Example:-

As shown in the below figure, the child standing on the wooden block applies force equal to his weight on the block. To avoid deformation, the block also tries to develop an equal amount of resistance against the load. This resistance per unit cross-sectional area of the block is known as stress.

Thus the stress developed in the block can be given by,

σ = \frac{F}{\text{Cross sectional area}}

## Strength:

Strength is the maximum value of stress that material can bear before undergoing deformation or fracture.

Based on the type of loading, the strength is also classified as, ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength, shear strength, flexural strength, etc.

The value of strength is constant for the particular material and does not depends on the amount of load applied.

It is the intensive property of a material and measured in terms of N/m² or Pascal.

## Difference between stress and strength:

FAQs:

1. What is the ratio between stress and strength?

The ratio of strength to stress is the factor of safety for the loading condition.
Factor of safety = Strength / Stress

2. What is the importance of stress and strength?

The stress shows the resistance developed by the material to resist the failure and strength shows the ability of a material to withstand load without failure.

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