Elastic Potential Energy (Oxford AQA IGCSE Physics)

Elastic Potential Energy

What is elastic potential energy?

• Energy in the elastic potential store of an object is defined as:

The energy stored in an elastic object when work is done on the object

• This means that any object can change shape by stretching, bending or compressing (eg. springs, rubber bands)

  • When a spring is stretched (or compressed), work is done on the spring which results in energy being transferred to the elastic potential store of the spring

  • When the spring is released, energy is transferred away from its elastic potential store

The extension of a spring when a force is applied

How to calculate elastic potential energy

• The amount of energy in the elastic potential store of a stretched spring can be calculated using the equation:

E_e = ½ × k × e²

• Where:

  • E_e = elastic potential energy in joules (J)

  • k = spring constant in newtons per metre (N/m)

  • e = extension in metres (m)

• The above elastic potential energy equation assumes that the spring has not been stretched beyond its limit of proportionality

A spring stretched beyond its elastic limit