- Strength of materials deals with how solid objects deform under stress or strain. It analyzes stresses and strains in structural members like beams and columns.
- A rigid body does not change shape when forces act on it, while a deformable body does change shape under forces. Most materials exhibit elasticity and deform but return to their original shape when the forces are removed.
- Stress is the applied force per unit area that tends to deform a material. Strain is the resulting deformation or change in shape of the material. Common types of stress include tensile, compressive, and shearing stresses, while strains include longitudinal, volumetric, and shearing strains.