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Testing tough

A simple laboratory test enables engineers to investigate the behaviour of materials when subjected to an impact. Results from such tests are important when selecting materials for tasks such as building bridges and boat hulls

The terms in bold link to topics in the AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CCEA A-level specifications, as well as the IB, Pre-U and SQA exam specifications.

Changes in the gravitational potential energy of a pendulum can be related to the energy needed to deform or break a material sample. Such measurements indicate the material’s toughness (or brittleness).

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