Potential Energy Physics Example 1

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Example 1

easy
A spring with spring constant k=200 N/mk = 200 \text{ N/m} is compressed by 0.1 m0.1 \text{ m}. What is the elastic potential energy stored?

Solution

  1. 1
    Use the elastic PE formula: PE=12kx2PE = \frac{1}{2}kx^2.
  2. 2
    Square the compression distance: (0.1)2=0.01(0.1)^2 = 0.01.
  3. 3
    PE=12(200)(0.01)=1 JPE = \frac{1}{2}(200)(0.01) = 1 \text{ J}

Answer

PE=1 JPE = 1 \text{ J}
Elastic potential energy is stored in deformed elastic objects like springs. It depends on the spring constant and the square of the deformation.

About Potential Energy

Energy stored in a system due to the position or configuration of its parts, ready to be converted into kinetic or other forms of energy.

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