Elastic Potential Energy

Stretching an object transfers energy to an energy store known as the elastic potential energy store. Stretching an object more increases the energy it has stored in its elastic potential energy store.

Elastic potential energy involves two properties of an object:

  • The spring constant of the object – How much force is required to stretch or squash an object over a given distance. The higher the spring constant is, the more elastic potential energy is stored.
  • The extension of the object – How far the object has been stretched or squashed. The higher the extension of the object, the more elastic potential energy is stored.

Below is the equation to work out the energy in an elastic potential energy store.

Ee=1/2 x k x e squared.
  • k = Spring constant in newtons per metre (N/m)
  • e = Extension in metres (m)
  • Ee = Elastic potential energy in joules (J)