Elastic Potential Energy

• What are the two equations related to elasticity?

  F = ke and elastic potential energy = 1/2 ke²
• What does the variable K represent in the equation F = ke?

  K is the spring constant specific to each object
• How does a lower spring constant affect an object's elasticity?

  A lower spring constant means the object is more elastic
• What does a higher spring constant indicate about an object?

  A higher spring constant means the object is stiffer
• What is the formula for elastic potential energy?

  Elastic potential energy = 1/2 ke²
• What does elastic potential energy represent?

  Energy transferred to an object as it stretches
• If 100 joules of energy is used to stretch a spring, what happens to that energy?

  It is transferred to the spring's elastic potential energy
• How do you calculate the extension of a spring if its natural length is 0.6 meters and it stretches to 0.8 meters?

  Extension = 0.8 m - 0.6 m = 0.2 m
• What is the spring constant if a force of 14 Newtons stretches a spring by 0.2 meters?

  Spring constant K = 14 N / 0.2 m = 70 N/m
• How do you calculate the elastic potential energy of a spring with K = 70 N/m and extension = 0.2 m?

  Elastic potential energy = 1/2 * 70 * (0.2)² = 1.4 joules
• What does the gradient of a force vs. extension graph represent?

  • The gradient represents the spring constant
  • The area under the curve represents elastic potential energy
• What is the elastic limit in the context of Hooke's law?

  The point where an object stops obeying Hooke's law
• What happens to the energy when a spring is released after being stretched?

  It converts back to kinetic energy
• How does the elastic potential energy relate to the energy used to stretch the spring?

  They are equal when the spring is released