Originally Posted by
capsicum
Also not quite right.
Elasticity is the ability to deform or stretch under load and return to it original shape when unloaded.
Modulus is the stiffness for a given size, specific modulus is the modulus divided by the specific gravity.
From Wikipedia
modulus of elasticity, is the mathematical description of an object or substance's tendency to be deformed elastically (i.e., non-permanently) when a force is applied to it. The elastic modulus of an object is defined as the slope of its stress-strain curve in the elastic deformation region:
where λ (lambda) is the elastic modulus; stress is the force causing the deformation divided by the area to which the force is applied; and strain is the ratio of the change caused by the stress to the original state of the object. If stress is measured in pascals, since strain is a unitless ratio, then the units of λ are pascals as well.
I'll agree that elasticity is the tendency of a substance to return to its original form after deformation. However, there is nothing in the above definition that would be related to the size of the object being tested.
The Webster's definition is
Main Entry:
mod·u·lus
Pronunciation:
\ˈmä-jə-ləs\
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural mod·u·li
Etymology:
New Latin, from Latin, small measure
Date:
1753
1 a: the factor by which a logarithm of a number to one base is multiplied to obtain the logarithm of the number to a new base b: absolute value 2 c (1): the number (as a positive integer) or other mathematical entity (as a polynomial) in a congruence that divides the difference of the two congruent members without leaving a remainder — compare residue b (2): the number of different numbers used in a system of modular arithmetic
2: a constant or coefficient that expresses usually numerically the degree to which a body or substance possesses a particular property ([such] as elasticity)
In this case, definition 2 would be the most appropriate. The elastic modulus could also be stated as the elastic coefficient.