Elastic Potential Energy Simplified Revision Notes for GCSE AQA Physics

Revision notes with simplified explanations to understand Elastic Potential Energy quickly and effectively.

Learn about Energy Changes in a System for your GCSE Physics Exam. This Revision Note includes a summary of Energy Changes in a System for easy recall in your Physics exam

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1.1.5 Elastic Potential Energy

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Elastic potential energy is energy stored in an object that is stretched or compressed.

When we stretch a spring, we're applying a force to change the length of the spring. Applying a force like this is called doing work. We're putting energy in to stretch the spring. The stretched spring is storing this energy and we call that elastic potential energy.

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FORMULA

E_e=\frac{1}{2}×k×e^2

$Ee$ : Elastic potential energy (J)
$k$ : Spring constant (N/m)
$e$ : Extension (m)

Where Ee, is the elastic potential energy, in joules, J, k is the spring constant, in newtons per metre, N/m and e is extension in metres, m.

X-axis: Extension (m)
Y-axis: Force applied (N)
The graph shows a linear relationship until it reaches the limit of proportionality.

Extension ∝ Force

Limit of proportionality: If too great a force is applied, the spring will not return to its original length.

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