Elastic Potential Energy (OCR GCSE Physics A, Combined (Gateway Science Suite)): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
1.1.5 Elastic Potential Energy
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Elastic potential energy is energy stored in an object that is stretched or compressed.
When we stretch a spring, we're applying a force to change the length of the spring. Applying a force like this is called doing work. We're putting energy in to stretch the spring. The stretched spring is storing this energy and we call that elastic potential energy.
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FORMULA
- : Elastic potential energy (J)
- : Spring constant (N/m)
- : Extension (m)
Where Ee, is the elastic potential energy, in joules, J, k is the spring constant, in newtons per metre, N/m and e is extension in metres, m.
- X-axis: Extension (m)
- Y-axis: Force applied (N)
- The graph shows a linear relationship until it reaches the limit of proportionality.
Extension ∝ Force
Limit of proportionality: If too great a force is applied, the spring will not return to its original length.