A student was investigating a rubber band when stretched and relaxed to its original length. The graph shows the force-extension of the rubber band.
As the force is increased, the curve follows the path WXZ to extension x. As the force is reduced, the curve follows the path ZYW to return to zero extension.
The area labelled S is between the curves WXZ and ZYW. The area labelled T is bounded by the curve ZYW and the horizontal axis.
Which statement about the process is correct?
area S is the energy which heats the band as it is stretched to e
area S is the elastic potential energy stored in the band when it is stretched to e
(area S + area T) is the minimum energy required to stretch the band to e
area S is the energy which heats the band as it is stretched to e