Forces and Elasticity

• What will elastic forces always do?

  Return to their original length or shape if we take away the forces acting on them.
• What has to happen in order to change an objects length or shape?

  Have to apply more than one force
• What would happen if we only applied 1 force to a stationary object?

  The forces at no longer balanced meaning the object would only move rather than changing shape.
• What happens if we stretch inelastic materials?

  They do not return to their original length when the forces are removed
• What happens if we stretch elastic materials?

  They return to their original length when the forces are removed.
• What is an example of inelastic materials?

  Polymers
• How do we calculate the force needed to stretch an elastic object?

  F (N) = K (N/m) x E (m) —> E is also used for compression
• What happens when we stretch or compress an elastic object?

  We are using a force to do work.
• what is work done equal to?

  Equal to the elastic potential energy. This is only true if the object is not inelastically deformed.