The femur bone in the human leg has a minimum effective cross section of about 3.0 cm^2. How much compressive force can it wthstand before breaking? (compressive strength of bone= 170 x 10^6 N/m)
I'm not sure what formula to use and how o start this problem. Please help! I have done all of my chapter homeworks in physics, but I only have about 6 that I am having trouble with. I appreciate any help!

Question

The femur bone in the human leg has a minimum effective cross section of about 3.0 cm^2. How much compressive force can it wthstand before breaking? (compressive strength of bone= 170 x 10^6 N/m)
I'm not sure what formula to use and how o start this problem. Please help! I have done all of my chapter homeworks in physics, but I only have about 6 that I am having trouble with. I appreciate any help!

anonymous · Answer

So you need to consider this problem as 2 problems.  The first is to determine the cross sectional area of the femur and then the second is to determine the force the femur can sustain.  Do you happen to know how you would go about determining the cross section area of the femur or what geometric shape it would be?  This will get is to the equation we need to solve the problem.  Any thoughts??

anonymous · Answer

Compressive strength is the maximum stress that the object can bear. Also, 
Stress = Force/Area 
Using the ultimate value of stress(compressive sress) and the area of cross section u can get   
ultimate force.