Elastic potential energy is stored energy in a distorted elastic object, such as a spring. It is a type of potential energy, which can come in various forms and is measured in joules, calories, or kilowatt-hours. Distorting an object takes work, and once it passes its elastic limit, it will deform permanently. The equilibrium shape of an object also has elastic potential energy.
Elastic potential energy is the energy stored by forces within a distorted elastic object. One of the easiest ways to understand the concept is to study the mechanics of an ordinary spring. It’s also best to break down the various components to gain a deeper understanding.
Energy is the ability to do work, and most often it is transferred between two or more objects that are doing work. Energy can come in several forms, such as kinetic energy that physically moves objects or potential energy found in the forces within or between objects. Potential energy is not as easy to see as kinetic energy because nothing is visibly in motion. Simply put, if objects have the potential to do work, they contain potential energy.
There are different types of potential energy: gravitational, elastic, electrostatic, chemical and nuclear. As mentioned above, the best example of elastic potential energy is seen through the examination of a winding watch spring. Additionally, potential energy can be measured in many different ways, such as joules, calories, and kilowatt-hours.
When studying this type of energy, many people also consider the elastic limit of an object. For example, if someone pulls on a spring, it is possible to pull it too far and distort it, and as a result, it will exert less force. In most cases, once the spring or any other object has passed its elastic limit, it will deform, usually permanently.
Distorting an object, such as a spring, takes work. It can be stretched by hand by simply pulling the ends out. As the ends are pulled outward, the energy of the person pulling is transferred to the spring and stored
The movement can also be performed in reverse. If a spring is compressed, energy is returned to the person’s hand. Only a small amount of that energy remains in the spring as heat energy.
Another way to look at the elastic potential energy in an object, such as a spring, is to look at its equilibrium shape. For example, a spring that is distorted and no longer holds its equilibrium shape has this type of energy. Balance is achieved when nothing pushes, pulls or twists the spring.
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