What does specific strength refer to?

Specific strength is defined as the ratio of ultimate strength to specific weight. This measure is particularly useful in materials science and engineering, where evaluating how effectively a material can withstand loads relative to its weight is crucial for applications like aerospace and structural engineering. In essence, specific strength indicates the performance efficiency of a material; higher specific strength values mean that a material can support larger loads without adding significant weight.

The rationale behind this concept is to allow for the comparison of materials regarding their performance under load while considering their density. This is especially relevant in contexts where weight is a critical factor, such as in the design of aircraft or lightweight structures.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the definition of specific strength. The ratio of yield strength to tensile strength does not relate to weight, nor does it provide a measure of strength relative to density. The overall strength of a material encompasses various strength types but does not consider weight, while resistance to deformation pertains more to material stiffness rather than strength in the specific context of weight. Thus, the focus on ultimate strength and specific weight makes the first option the correct interpretation of specific strength.