Stress vs. Strain: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 8, 2024
Stress is the force per unit area applied to a material, while strain is the deformation or displacement it undergoes in response to stress.
Key Differences
Stress is a measure of the internal forces acting within a material, calculated as force divided by area. Strain, in contrast, is the measure of deformation a material experiences due to applied stress, expressed as a change in dimension over original dimension.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
In materials science, stress quantifies the intensity of internal forces, described in units like Pascals. Strain, on the other hand, is a dimensionless quantity, representing the relative change in shape or size under stress.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Stress can be of different types, such as tensile, compressive, or shear, depending on the direction of the applied force. Strain corresponds to these stresses, manifesting as elongation, compression, or displacement.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
The relationship between stress and strain is often characterized by material properties like Young's modulus. While stress is a factor in determining this relationship, strain is the resulting deformation, illustrating the material's response.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Elasticity is a key concept involving both stress and strain. Stress causes a material to deform, and strain measures this deformation. Elastic materials return to their original shape after the stress is removed.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Force per unit area within a material
Deformation or displacement of a material
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Units
Pascals (Pa), Newtons per square meter (N/m²)
Dimensionless (change in dimension over original)
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Material Property Relation
Related to Young's modulus, elasticity
Indicates deformation, elasticity
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Dependence
Depends on external forces, material structure
Depends on stress and material properties
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Stress and Strain Definitions
Stress
Stress can be tensile, compressive, or shear.
Tensile stress occurs in a rope during a tug-of-war.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Strain
Strain is the deformation in a material due to stress.
The strain in a rubber band is visible as it stretches.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Strain
Strain measures the displacement under load.
Earthquakes cause strain in building structures.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Strain
Strain is a dimensionless measure of deformation.
High strain can cause materials to fracture.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Stress
The emphasis placed on the sound or syllable spoken most forcefully in a word or phrase.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Strain reflects a material's response to stress.
Strain gauges measure deformation in laboratory tests.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Stress
The relative force of sound or emphasis given a syllable or word in accordance with a metrical pattern.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(Physics) To cause distortion of (a body's parts or shape) by applying an external force; deform.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
The internal distribution of force per unit area within a body subject to an applied force or system of forces.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To injure or impair by overuse or overexertion; wrench
Strain a muscle.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
The internal resistance of a body to such an applied force or system of forces.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To damage or weaken by pressure or tension
Winds that strained the mast.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
A condition of extreme difficulty, pressure, or strain
"He presided over the economy during the period of its greatest stress and danger" (Robert J. Samuelson).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To force beyond the proper or reasonable limit
An excuse that strains credulity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
A condition of physiological or psychological disturbance to the normal functioning or well-being of an organism, occurring as a response to any of various environmental or psychosocial stimuli. Signs and symptoms of stress in humans include increased blood pressure, insomnia, and irritability.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
A stimulus or circumstance causing such a condition
Couldn't stand the stresses of the job and quit.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To draw off or remove by filtration
Strained the pulp from the juice.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
To give prominence of sound to (a syllable or word) in pronouncing or in accordance with a metrical pattern.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To make strong or steady efforts; strive hard
Straining to complete the coursework.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(Informal) To subject to physiological or mental stress or strain. Often used with out
The pressure of the deadline is really stressing me out.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
To undergo physiological or mental stress, as from working too much. Often used with out.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To be or become wrenched or twisted
The flagpole straining in the wind.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(biology) A physical, chemical, infective agent aggressing an organism.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To be subjected to great stress
With such busy lives, the marriage can strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(biology) Aggression toward an organism resulting in a response in an attempt to restore previous conditions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
The internal distribution of force across a small boundary per unit area of that boundary (pressure) within a body. It causes strain or deformation and is typically symbolised by σ or τ.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
Force externally applied to a body which cause internal stress within the body.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(uncountable) Emotional pressure suffered by a human being or other animal.
Go easy on him, he's been under a lot of stress lately.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Extreme or laborious effort, exertion, or work
Moved the sofa with little strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
A suprasegmental feature of a language having additional attention raised to a sound, word or word group by means of of loudness, duration or pitch; phonological prominence.
Some people put the stress on the first syllable of “controversy”; others put it on the second.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A great or excessive demand or stress on one's body, mind, or resources
The strain of managing both a family and a career.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
The suprasegmental feature of a language having additional attention raised to a sound by means of of loudness and/or duration; phonological prominence phonetically achieved by means of dynamics as distinct from pitch.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
The state of being subjected to such demands or stresses
Trying to work under great strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(uncountable) Emphasis placed on a particular point in an argument or discussion (whether spoken or written).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A wrench, twist, or other physical injury resulting from excessive tension, effort, or use.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(Physics) Any of several kinds of deformation of the dimensions of a body when subjected to stress, as axial strain or elastic strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(transitive) To apply force to (a body or structure) causing strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A group of bacteria or viruses that are genetically distinct from other groups of the same species.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A group of cultivated plants or domestic animals of the same species that have distinctive characteristics but are not considered a separate breed or variety.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
The collective descendants of a common ancestor; a race, stock, line, or breed.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(transitive) To emphasise (a syllable of a word).
“Emphasis” is stressed on the first syllable, but “emphatic” is stressed on the second.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Any of the various lines of ancestry united in an individual or a family; ancestry or lineage.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(transitive) To emphasise (a point) in an argument or discussion.
I must stress that this information is given in strict confidence.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
An inborn or inherited tendency or character
A strain of eccentricity in the family.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
An inherent quality; a streak
"his upper-caste father, placid, inactive, with a strain of asceticism" (V.S. Naipaul).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
Pressure, strain; - used chiefly of immaterial things; except in mechanics; hence, urgency; importance; weight; significance.
The faculties of the mind are improved by exercise, yet they must not be put to a stress beyond their strength.
A body may as well lay too little as too much stress upon a dream.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
The tone, tenor, or substance of a verbal utterance or of a particular action or behavior
Spoke in a passionate strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
The force, or combination of forces, which produces a strain; force exerted in any direction or manner between contiguous bodies, or parts of bodies, and taking specific names according to its direction, or mode of action, as thrust or pressure, pull or tension, shear or tangential stress.
Stress is the mutual action between portions of matter.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Often strains(Music) A passage of expression; a tune or an air
Melodic strains of the violin.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
Force of utterance expended upon words or syllables. Stress is in English the chief element in accent and is one of the most important in emphasis. See Guide to pronunciation, 31-35.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(biology) A particular variety of a microbe, virus, or other organism, usually a taxonomically infraspecific one.
They say this year's flu virus is a particularly virulent strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(figurative) Hereditary character, quality, tendency, or disposition.
There is a strain of madness in her family.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Any sustained note or movement; a song; a distinct portion of an ode or other poem; also, the pervading note, or burden, of a song, poem, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
The relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch);
He put the stress on the wrong syllable
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense;
He suffered from fatigue and emotional tension
Stress is a vasoconstrictor
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
(physics) force that produces strain on a physical body;
The intensity of stress is expressed in units of force divided by units of area
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
Special emphasis attached to something;
The stress was more on accuracy than on speed
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
Difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension;
She endured the stresses and strains of life
He presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
To stress, single out as important;
Dr. Jones emphasizes exercise in addition to a change in diet
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A violent effort; an excessive and hurtful exertion or tension, as of the muscles.
He jumped up with a strain
The strain upon the sailboat's rigging
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
Put stress on; utter with an accent;
In Farsi, you accent the last syllable of each word
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A dimensionless measure of object deformation either referring to engineering strain or true strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
Stress is the internal force per unit area in a material.
The stress on a bridge's cable increases with added weight.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Stress
Stress is a physical quantity measuring applied force.
Engineers calculate stress to ensure building safety.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Stress
Stress quantifies the intensity of internal forces.
The stress within a compressed spring is significant.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Strain
To apply a force or forces to by stretching out.
To strain a rope; to strain the shrouds of a ship
Relations between the United States and Guatemala traditionally have been close, although at times strained by human rights and civil/military issues.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Stress
Stress relates to material strength and load capacity.
Materials are tested for maximum stress before failure.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Strain
To damage by drawing, stretching, or the exertion of force.
The gale strained the timbers of the ship.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To act upon, in any way, so as to cause change of form or volume, as when bending a beam.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To exert or struggle (to do something), especially to stretch (one's senses, faculties etc.) beyond what is normal or comfortable.
Sitting in back, I strained to hear the speaker.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To stretch beyond its proper limit; to do violence to, in terms of intent or meaning.
To strain the law in order to convict an accused person
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(transitive) To separate solid from liquid by passing through a strainer or colander
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(intransitive) To percolate; to be filtered.
Water straining through a sandy soil
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To make uneasy or unnatural; to produce with apparent effort; to force; to constrain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To urge with importunity; to press.
To strain a petition or invitation
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(obsolete) To beget, generate (of light), engender, copulate (both of animals and humans), lie with, be born, come into the world.
A man straineth, liveth, then dieth.
Man, look at that cat straining that kitty.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Race; stock; generation; descent; family.
He is of a noble strain.
With animals and plants a cross between different varieties, or between individuals of the same variety but of another strain, gives vigor and fertility to the offspring.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Hereditary character, quality, or disposition.
Intemperance and lust breed diseases, which, propogated, spoil the strain of nation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A violent effort; an excessive and hurtful exertion or tension, as of the muscles; as, he lifted the weight with a strain; the strain upon a ship's rigging in a gale; also, the hurt or injury resulting; a sprain.
Whether any poet of our country since Shakespeare has exerted a greater variety of powers with less strain and less ostentation.
Credit is gained by custom, and seldom recovers a strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A portion of music divided off by a double bar; a complete musical period or sentence; a movement, or any rounded subdivision of a movement.
Their heavenly harps a lower strain began.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A change of form or dimensions of a solid or liquid mass, produced by a stress.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Any sustained note or movement; a song; a distinct portion of an ode or other poem; also, the pervading note, or burden, of a song, poem, oration, book, etc.; theme; motive; manner; style; also, a course of action or conduct; as, he spoke in a noble strain; there was a strain of woe in his story; a strain of trickery appears in his career.
Such take too high a strain at first.
The genius and strain of the book of Proverbs.
It [Pilgrim's Progress] seems a novelty, and yet containsNothing but sound and honest gospel strains.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Turn; tendency; inborn disposition. Cf. 1st Strain.
Because heretics have a strain of madness, he applied her with some corporal chastisements.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To draw with force; to extend with great effort; to stretch; as, to strain a rope; to strain the shrouds of a ship; to strain the cords of a musical instrument.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To act upon, in any way, so as to cause change of form or volume, as forces on a beam to bend it.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To exert to the utmost; to ply vigorously.
He sweats,Strains his young nerves.
They strain their warbling throatsTo welcome in the spring.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To stretch beyond its proper limit; to do violence to, in the matter of intent or meaning; as, to strain the law in order to convict an accused person.
There can be no other meaning in this expression, however some may pretend to strain it.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To injure by drawing, stretching, or the exertion of force; as, the gale strained the timbers of the ship.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To injure in the muscles or joints by causing to make too strong an effort; to harm by overexertion; to sprain; as, to strain a horse by overloading; to strain the wrist; to strain a muscle.
Prudes decayed about may track,Strain their necks with looking back.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To squeeze; to press closely.
Evander with a close embraceStrained his departing friend.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To make uneasy or unnatural; to produce with apparent effort; to force; to constrain.
He talks and plays with Fatima, but his mirthIs forced and strained.
The quality of mercy is not strained.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To urge with importunity; to press; as, to strain a petition or invitation.
Note, if your lady strain his entertainment.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To press, or cause to pass, through a strainer, as through a screen, a cloth, or some porous substance; to purify, or separate from extraneous or solid matter, by filtration; to filter; as, to strain milk through cloth.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To make violent efforts.
To build his fortune I will strain a little.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
To percolate; to be filtered; as, water straining through a sandy soil.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension;
She endured the stresses and strains of life
He presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence;
She was humming an air from Beethoven
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress;
His responsibilities were a constant strain
The mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
A special variety of domesticated animals within a species;
He experimented on a particular breed of white rats
He created a new strain of sheep
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
(biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups;
A new strain of microorganisms
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Injury to a muscle (often caused by overuse); results in swelling and pain
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Pervading note of an utterance;
I could follow the general tenor of his argument
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
The act of singing;
With a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity;
He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro
Don't strain your mind too much
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements;
Sift the flour
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender;
Puree the vegetables for the baby
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Alter the shape of (something) by stress;
His body was deformed by leprosy
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Strain
Strain is the relative change in shape or size.
Metal beams show strain under heavy loads.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is strain a dimensionless quantity?
Yes, it's expressed as a relative change in dimension.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What is stress in materials science?
The internal force per unit area within a material.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
How is stress measured?
In units like Pascals (Pa) or Newtons per square meter (N/m²).
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What are the different forms of strain?
Elongational, compressional, and shear strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What role does strain play in engineering?
It helps assess how materials deform under various loads.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
How is stress different from pressure?
Stress is a measure of internal resistance in a material, while pressure is an external force applied uniformly over a surface.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What is Poisson's ratio?
Poisson's ratio (ν) measures the lateral contraction of a material when stretched longitudinally. It's the ratio of transverse strain to axial strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What does strain indicate in a material?
The deformation or displacement experienced by the material.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What is engineering strain vs. true strain?
Engineering strain uses original dimensions for calculations, while true strain considers instantaneous dimensions during deformation.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
How is strain related to deformation?
Strain quantifies the amount of deformation experienced by a material due to applied stress.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
How does stress affect materials?
It can cause deformation, change in shape, or even failure.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What is the ultimate tensile strength of a material?
Ultimate tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand without breaking.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What is plastic strain?
Plastic strain is permanent deformation that remains after the removal of stress.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What is the yield stress of a material?
Yield stress is the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
What is shear strain?
Shear strain occurs when adjacent layers of a material slide past each other.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 08, 2024
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Hifza Nasir
Shumaila Saeed
