What is the term used for the extension divided by the original length?

The term used for the extension divided by the original length is called strain. Strain is a dimensionless measure that quantifies the deformation of a material in response to an applied force or load. It is calculated by taking the change in length (the extension) and dividing it by the original length of the material. This ratio provides insight into how much the material has deformed relative to its original state, allowing engineers and engineers to assess how materials will behave under stress.

Understanding strain is essential in fields like welding, where materials undergo significant changes in shape and size. By analyzing strain, professionals can evaluate whether materials will withstand the forces they encounter during various processes, ensuring safety and structural integrity.

Stress, on the other hand, refers to the force applied to a material divided by its cross-sectional area and is not directly related to the measurement of length change. Tension and compression refer to the types of forces that can cause stress and subsequent strain but do not define the ratio of extension to original length as strain does.