Elastic Potential Energy
Physics: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.2.19
Work Done on a Spring
When a force stretches a spring or compresses another object, work is done. When this work is done, energy is transferred into an elastic potential energy store.
Compressing a spring
- When we compress a spring, elastic potential energy is stored in the spring (so long as a spring isn’t inelastically deformed!).
Elastic potential energy stored
- The elastic potential energy stored in a spring is equal to the work done when stretching it.
Test yourself on Elastic Potential Energy
When work is done on a spring, what is stored in the spring?