Elastic Potential Energy Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What is the equation for the energy transferred in stretching a spring (with units)?

$E = \tfrac{1}{2} \times k \times x^2$ — energy in J, spring constant in N/m, extension in m.

True or false? An extension given in cm can be put straight into $E = \tfrac{1}{2} \times k \times x^2$.

False. The extension must be converted to metres first. e.g. 12 cm becomes 0.12 m.

How can the work done in stretching a spring be found from its force–extension graph?

It is the area under the graph, up to the extension reached.

When a force stretches or squashes a spring, which energy store is energy transferred to?

The spring's elastic potential energy store — work is done on the spring as it changes shape.