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March 23, 2022

What is elastic potential energy and how to find it?



The energy accumulated from applying a force to deform an elastic item is known as elastic potential energy. The energy is kept until the force is released, at which point the item reverts to its original shape and function. Due to the deformation, the item may be squeezed, stretched, or twisted.



The elastic limit of an object designed to hold elastic potential energy is often high, yet all elastic items have a load limit. If an object is deformed beyond its elastic limit, it will not return to its original shape. In past generations, wind-up mechanical watches driven by coil springs were popular. There are no longer any materials with a high enough elastic limit to store elastic potential energy with a high energy density. Hence we don't utilize wind-up telephones.

 How to calculate potential energy?

You may use this potential energy calculator https://calconcalculator.com/physics/elastic-potential-energy-calculator/ to figure out how much energy is stored in an elevated item. This effect's full term is gravitational potential energy, and it refers to the energy that an item stores as a result of its vertical position or height. Using our potential energy calculator is the simplest approach to compute gravitational potential energy. On the basis of three values, this tool calculates the potential energy. These are the following:

  • The object's weight
  • On Earth, the gravitational acceleration is 9,81 m/s2.
  • The object's elevation

The calculator will then calculate the value in joules. Like all of our calculators, this potential energy calculator does not have to be used just to compute potential energy. Simply enter any three of the four variables to quickly obtain the fourth. This ball's gravitational potential energy is determined by its mass and the height to which it is lifted. The following equation describes the link between gravitational potential energy and an object's mass and height.

P.E. Grav. = m * h * g

Where:

  • m is mass,
  • h is height, and
  • g is the gravitational field strength (9.81 on Earth)

What is the equation for elastic potential energy?

The stored energy of a compressible or stretchy item, such as a spring, rubber band, or molecule, is elastic potential energy. The force multiplied by the movement distance equals elastic potential energy. The spring's potential energy is equal to its work, which is defined as a force multiplied by a distance. As a result, Hooke's law provides us with our force. We use the spring's displacement to calculate the distance. You could think we'd obtain the following formula for elastic potential energy.

The main formula for calculating the elastic potential energy is:

Elastic Potential Energy = Force x Distance of Displacement

 How to calculate elastic potential energy?

Elastic potential energy https://calconcalculator.com/physics/elastic-potential-energy-calculator/ is equal to the effort required to extend the spring, which is determined by the spring constant k as well as the length of the spring. According to Hooke's law, the force required to stretch the spring will be precisely proportional to the amount of stretch.

Follow these procedures to quickly determine its worth!

  • Calculate k, the spring constant. We can make a guess k = 80 N/m.
  • Determine how much you want your spring to extend or compress. For example, let's pretend we've compressed it x= 0.15 m. It's worth noting that the spring's starting length isn't critical in this case.
  • In the spring potential energy formula U = ½kΔx2, substitute these values.
  • Calculate the amount of energy. It will be equivalent to in our case

U = 0.5 * 80 * 0.15²

= 0.9 J.

What is an example of elastic potential energy?

The spring constant of a truck spring is 5 * 104 N/m. The vehicle sits 0.8 m above the road when unloaded. It descends to 0.7 m above the ground when laden with cargo. What is the total amount of potential energy stored in the four springs?

The vehicle's height differs by 0.1 m (0.8 m – 0.7 m). This shows us how much the springs are compressed (Δx).

U = 2/1k (Δx)2

= 2/1 * 5 * 104 N/m * (0.1 m)2

= 250 J/spring

= 1000 J


 
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