ET unit 7 -- elastic potential energy

Front

What is elastic potential energy?

Back

Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in elastic materials as the result of their stretching or compressing.

Front

What does the spring constant (k) represent?

Back

The spring constant (k) represents the stiffness of a spring; a higher value indicates a stiffer spring.

Front

What is Hooke's Law?

Back

Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the amount it is stretched or compressed, represented as F = kx.

Front

What is the formula for elastic potential energy?

Back

The formula for elastic potential energy (EPE) is EPE = 1/2 kx², where k is the spring constant and x is the deformation.

Front

What happens to elastic potential energy when a spring is compressed?

Back

When a spring is compressed, elastic potential energy is stored in the spring, which can be released when the spring returns to its original shape.

Front

What is deformation in the context of springs?

Back

Deformation refers to the change in shape or length of a spring when a force is applied to it.

Front

What is the restoring force of a spring?

Back

The restoring force is the force exerted by a spring to return to its original shape after being deformed.

Front

How does the applied force relate to the deformation of a spring?

Back

The applied force causes the deformation of the spring, and according to Hooke's Law, it is proportional to the amount of deformation.

Front

What is the relationship between elastic potential energy and the spring constant?

Back

The elastic potential energy stored in a spring increases with a higher spring constant, as it requires more energy to deform a stiffer spring.

Front

What is the significance of the negative direction of deformation?

Back

When deformation is in the negative direction, it indicates that the spring is being compressed, while the restoring force acts in the positive direction to return it to equilibrium.