# The Achilles Tendon

The Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel, is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body. In extreme activities, such as sprinting, it can be subjected to forces as high as 13.0 times a person’s weight. According to one set of experiments, the average area of the Achilles tendon is 78.2mm2 , its average length is 26cm , and its average Young’s modulus is 1474MPa .

Part A

How much tensile stress is required to stretch this muscle by 5.2% of its length?Express your answer using two significant figures.

P=? (Pa)

Part B

If we model the tendon as a spring, what is its force constant?

k = ?  N/m

Part C

If a 75kg sprinter exerts a force of 13.0 times his weight on his Achilles tendon, by how much will it stretch?

x = ? cm

$\sigma =F/S =E*Delta(L)/L0 = 1474*10^6*5.2% =1474*10^6*0,052 =766.48*10^6 Pa =766.48 MPa$
$F= k*\Delta(L)$
$k =S*E/L0 =78.2*10^-6*1474*10^6/0.26 =6.5347*10^7 N/m =65.347 MN/m$
$F =13*Mg =13*75*9.81 =9564.75 N$
$\Delta(L) = L0*F/S*1/E = 0.26*9564,75 / 78.2*10^-6* 1/1474*10^6 =0.02157 m =2.157 cm$