Elastic Potential Energy

• What is elastic potential energy?

  Energy stored in a stretched spring.
• How is elastic potential energy related to a stretched spring?

  It is the energy stored when a spring is stretched.
• What is the relationship between force applied and extension in a spring?

  • Extension is directly proportional to the force applied until the limit of proportionality is reached.
  • Beyond this limit, the spring does not return to its original length.
• What symbol is used to represent extension in a spring?

  Lowercase e.
• What happens when a spring is stretched beyond its limit of proportionality?

  It will not return to its original length.
• What is the formula for calculating elastic potential energy in a spring?

  • Elastic potential energy (EPE) = 0.5 × spring constant (k) × extension (e)²
• What must the extension be measured in when calculating elastic potential energy?

  In meters.
• How do you convert an extension from centimeters to meters?

  Divide by 100.
• If a spring has an extension of 20 cm, what is its extension in meters?

  0.2 m.
• Given a spring constant of 100 N/m and an extension of 0.2 m, what is the elastic potential energy stored in the spring?

  2 J.
• What type of questions can you expect to find in relation to elastic potential energy?

  • Calculating elastic potential energy
  • Understanding the relationship between force and extension
  • Converting units for extension