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Understanding Elastic Potential Energy

The document explains how to calculate the work done when stretching a spring using Hooke's law, which states that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to its displacement from equilibrium. The work done on the spring is given by the formula W = (1/2) k x², where k is the spring constant and x is the distance stretched. This work is stored as elastic potential energy, represented as PEel = (1/2) k x².

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7 views3 pages

Understanding Elastic Potential Energy

The document explains how to calculate the work done when stretching a spring using Hooke's law, which states that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to its displacement from equilibrium. The work done on the spring is given by the formula W = (1/2) k x², where k is the spring constant and x is the distance stretched. This work is stored as elastic potential energy, represented as PEel = (1/2) k x².

Uploaded by

emmanuelgouveia
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Elastic Potential Energy

How much work is done when we stretch a spring a distance x from its equilibrium position?

First, we need to know about the general characteristics of a spring.

Experimentally, we find

This is known as Hooke's law

We might write this in equation form as F = k x. However, the force exerted by the spring is
always in the opposite direction to the stretch (or compression) of the spring. Therefore, we write
Hooke's law as

F=-kx
This is the force exerted by the spring. The external force we exert on the spring is Fext = + k x.

The proportionality constant k is known as the spring constant and describes how stiff the spring
is.

Now we are again ready to ask


"How much work is done when we stretch a spring a distance x from its equilibrium position?"

We know how to handle a constant force. For a constant force, we know

W=Fd
Our spring force varies, but we can think of it as being (nearly) constant as we move through a
(very) small distance,

The work done by a variable force is the area under the "curve" on a Force - distance graph. For
this Hooke's law force of Fext = k x, the work done to the spring by the external force Fext is
W = (1/2) k x2
This work done on the spring as it is stretched (or compressed) can be recovered. This is stored
work that can be used to do work on something else by this spring. That means the stretched (or
compressed) spring has energy -- potential energy. This is spring potential energy or elastic
potential energy.

PEel = (1/2) k x2
or

Uel = (1/2) k x2

Gravitational Potential Energy


Energy Conservation
Return to ToC, Work and Energy

(c) 2002, Doug Davis; all rights reserved

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