The Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel, is the thickes
ID: 1627510 • Letter: T
Question
The Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel, is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body. In extreme activities, such as sprinting, it can be subjected to forces as high as 13.0 times a person's weight. According to one set of experiments, the average area of the Achilles tendon is 78.2 mm2 , its average length is 26 cm, and its average Young's modulus is 1474 MPa .
If we model the tendon as a spring, what is its force constant?
Express your answer using two significant figures.
If a 75 kg sprinter exerts a force of 13.0 times his weight on his Achilles tendon, by how much will it stretch?
Express your answer using two significant figures.
Explanation / Answer
E = sigma/e
1474e6 Pa = sigma / 0.052
sigma = 2.8e10 Pa = 28 GPa = 28000 MPa
k = F / x
F = sigma * A = 2.8e10Pa * 78.2mm^2* (1m/1000mm)^2
F = 2.2e6 N
x = 26cm * 0.052 = 1.4 cm = 0.014 m
k = 1.6e8 N/m
x = F / k = 13 * 75kg * 9.8m/s² / 1.6e8N/m = 5.8e-5 m
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