2. Foundations of Physics Assignment #12 Elastic Potential Energy Notes

3. Elastic Potential Energy  Energy associated with the stretching or compression of an elastic material  Depends on the force acting on the elastic material and stretch / compression of the elastic material.

4. Elastic Potential Energy EPE F F F

5. Elastic Potential Energy

7.  From the graphs, we get an equation Force=spring constant x amount stretched or compressed  Thus, the amount of stretch / compression depends on the amount for force applied to the material and the spring constant of the material.

8. Elastic Potential Energy  The F vs. x graph also describes the amount of energy stored in the spring (EPE). F x F x Small area = Small amount of EPE Large area = Large amount of EPE

9. Elastic Potential Energy  Thus, the area under the F vs. x graph is the elastic potential energy stored in the material.  The units for energy are Nm (Joule).