a
$(a)$ When rod is stretched, its length increases. Potential drop across the rod also increases due to increase in resistance of rod.
Resistance of rod,
$R=\frac{\rho l}{A}=\frac{\rho l^{2}}{X}$
( $\because$ volume of rod, $X=A l)$
Change in resistance of rod,
$\Delta R=\frac{\rho \cdot 2 l \Delta l}{X}$
Change in potential drop across rod, $\Delta V=i \Delta R=\frac{i \cdot \rho \cdot 2 l \Delta l-2 i \rho l^{2} \Delta l}{X}=\frac{2 i \rho l^{2}}{X} \cdot \varepsilon$ or $\quad \Delta V \propto \varepsilon$
As change in potential drop is directly proportional to strain, voltage as a function of strain is as shown below;
