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First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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Elastic Potential Energy (CIE AS Physics)

Revision Note

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Katie M

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Katie M

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Area under a Force-Extension Graph

  • The work done in stretching a material is equal to the force multiplied by the distance moved
  • Therefore, the area under a force-extension graph is equal to the work done to stretch the material
  • The work done is also equal to the elastic potential energy stored in the material

 

Work done under graphs, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Work done is the area under the force - extension graph

 

  • This is true for whether the material obeys Hooke’s law or not
    • For the region where the material obeys Hooke’s law, the work done is the area of a right angled triangle under the graph
    • For the region where the material doesn’t obey Hooke’s law, the area is the full region under the graph. To calculate this area, split the graph into separate segments and add up the individual areas of each

Loading and unloading

  • The force-extension curve for stretching and contraction of a material that has exceeded its elastic limit, but is not plastically deformed is shown below

Loading and unloading graph, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes 

  • The curve for contraction is always below the curve for stretching
  • The area X represents the net work done or the thermal energy dissipated in the material
  • The area X + Y is the minimum energy required to stretch the material to extension e

 

Worked example

The graph shows the behaviour of a sample of a metal when it is stretched until it starts to undergo plastic deformation.WE - Work done area under graph question image, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notesWhat is the total work done in stretching the sample from zero to 13.5 mm extension?

Simplify the calculation by treating the curve XY as a straight line.

WE - Work done area under graph answer image (1), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notesWE - Work done area under graph answer image (2), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Examiner Tip

Make sure to be familiar with the formula for the area of common 2D shapes such as a right angled triangle, trapezium, square and rectangles.

Elastic Potential Energy

  • Elastic potential energy is defined as the energy stored within a material (e.g. in a spring) when it is stretched or compressed
  • It can be found from the area under the force-extension graph for a material deformed within its limit of proportionality

 

Worked example

A spring is extended with varying forces; the graph below shows the results.WE - EPE area under graph question image, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notesWhat is the energy stored in the spring when the extension is 40 mm?

WE - EPE area under graph answer image, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Calculating Elastic Potential Energy

  • A material within it’s limit of proportionality obeys Hooke’s law. Therefore, for a material obeying Hooke’s Law, elastic potential energy can be calculated using:

 

Hooke's law EPE, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Elastic potential energy can be derived from Hooke’s law

 

  • Where k is the spring constant (N m-1) and x is the extension (m)

 

Examiner Tip

The formula for EPE = ½ kx2 is only the area under the force-extension graph when it is a straight line i.e. when the material obeys Hooke’s law and is within its elastic limit.

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.