Elastic Potential Energy

• The energy stored in a spring when work is

done in compressing or stretching it is
called elastic potential energy.

• Recall that according to Hook’s law

Fs = kx
– where k is the spring constant and x is the
compression or elongation of the spring
 Elastic Potential Energy
• Consider the diagram and graph on the board
(sketch in your notes)
 Elastic Potential Energy
• The work done in displacing the mass to the
right is converted into the spring’s potential
energy (elastic potential energy).

• The work is equal to the area under the

graph. The area is a triangle, so the area is
equal to ½ (base • height)
 Elastic Potential Energy
• So, the work is equal to
W = ½ x • Fs
• Substituting Fs = kx into the above, we get
W = ½ k x2
• Since the work done is converted into the
springs potential energy, we get
PEs = ½ k x2 (reference tables)
 Practice Problem
• A spring whose constant is 2.0 newtons per
meter is stretched 0.40 meter from its
equilibrium position. What is the increase
in the elastic potential energy of the spring?
 Class Demonstration

Part I - Work Done To Stretch a Spring

Part II - Work Done To Accelerate a Cart

Lab - Making The Grade
 Work – Energy Relationship
• If there is no friction or air resistance, all
the work done in lifting an object to a new
height is equal to the objects increase in
potential energy.

• The change in potential energy depends

only on the change in height, not on the
path taken.
 Work – Energy Relationship
• When there is no friction or air resistance, the
work done in raising the car is independent of the
path taken.
Work – Energy Relationship
• If we assume no
friction or air
resistance, which path
would require the
most gasoline (or
energy) to get to point
D?
 Conservative Forces Re-Visited
• When work done against a force is independent of
the path taken, the force is said to be a
conservative force.
– Gravitational force and the elastic force of a spring are
examples of conservative forces.

• Air resistance and friction are examples of

nonconservative forces. The work done against a
nonconservative force is dependent upon the path.
 Mechanical Systems
• Recall that the sum of the potential energy and
kinetic energy is called the total mechanical
energy.

• Define a closed system as one in which there are

no external forces doing work on the system, no
external work is being done by the system, and
there is no transfer of energy into or out of the
system.
 The Ideal Mechanical System
• An ideal mechanical system is a closed
system in which no nonconservative force
(such as friction or an applied force) acts.
 The Ideal Mechanical System
• In an ideal mechanical system, the sum of
the kinetic and potential energies is
constant, or the changes in kinetic and
potential energies is zero.

ΔPE = -ΔKE
PEi + KEi = PEf + KEf
 Lab

Cut Short
 The Ideal Mechanical System
• The change (decrease) in potential energy is equal
to the change (increase) in kinetic energy.
 The Downhill Skier
• Ideal mechanical system - until the skier hits the
unpacked snow.