Work Done on a Spring

• Work Done on a Spring:

  • When a spring is stretched or compressed by a force, work is done by the spring
  • Work done is the transfer of energy
  • The energy is transferred to its elastic potential energy store
• When a spring is stretched or compressed, there is work done and elastic potential energy is stored:

  
• • Elastic potential energy is defined as:The energy stored in an elastic object when work is done on the object
  • Provided the spring is not inelastically deformed (i.e has not exceeded its limit of proportionality), the work done on the spring and its elastic potential energy stored are equal
• Calculating the Work Done on a Spring:

  • The work done, or the elastic potential energy stored, while stretching or compressing a spring can be calculated using the equation:

  Ee = ½ × k × e2
• Where:

  • Ee = elastic potential energy in joules (J)
  • k = spring constant in newtons per metre (N/m)
  • e = extension in metres (m)
• The elastic potential energy in a stretched spring depends on its spring constant and extension:

  
• This equation is only for springs that have not been stretched beyond their limit of proportionality

  • The term e2 means that if the extension is doubled then the work done is quadrupled
  • This is because 22 = 4