Elastic Energy

Elastic energy is the potential energy stored in an elastic material when it is deformed under stress or strain. When a material is stretched or compressed, work is done on the material, and energy is stored in it as potential energy. This energy is released when the material returns to its original shape.

Table of Contents:

• Elastic Energy
• Elastic Potential Energy into Kinetic Energy
• Elastic Potential Energy Examples
• FAQs

Elastic energy is a form of potential energy, as it is stored energy that has the potential to do work. It can be converted to other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, when the object returns to its original shape.

There are two types of Elastic Energy:

1. Strain Energy: This type of elastic energy is stored in an object when it is deformed due to the strain applied to it. It is proportional to the amount of deformation and the stiffness of the material.

2. Elastic Potential Energy: This type of elastic energy is stored in an object when it is compressed or stretched. It is proportional to the amount of deformation and the force applied to the material.

Elastic Potential Energy into Kinetic Energy

Elastic potential energy can be transformed into kinetic energy when an elastic object is released from its deformed state and allowed to return to its original shape. The energy stored in the object is then converted into kinetic energy as it moves. The formula for the transformation of elastic potential energy into kinetic energy can be expressed as:

1/2 * k * x^2 = 1/2 * m * v^2

where:

k is the spring constant of the elastic material (a measure of its stiffness)

x is the displacement of the object from its equilibrium position (the amount by which the object was stretched or compressed)

m is the mass of the object

v is the velocity of the object as it moves.

The left-hand side of the equation represents the elastic potential energy stored in the object, while the right-hand side represents the kinetic energy of the moving object.

This equation is derived from the conservation of mechanical energy, which states that the total energy in a closed system (in this case, the object and the spring) remains constant, and is transformed between potential and kinetic energy.

Elastic Potential Energy Examples

1. A stretched rubber band: When a rubber band is stretched, it stores elastic potential energy. This energy is released when the rubber band is released, and it snaps back to its original shape.

2. A compressed spring: When a spring is compressed, it stores elastic potential energy. This energy is released when the spring is released, and it returns to its original shape.

3. A bow and arrow: When an archer pulls back on a bowstring, the bowstring stores elastic potential energy. This energy is released when the archer releases the arrow, and the bowstring snaps back to its original position.

4. A trampoline: When someone jumps on a trampoline, the trampoline mat stretches and stores elastic potential energy. This energy is released when the person bounces back up, and the trampoline mat returns to its original shape.

5. A diving board: When someone jumps on a diving board, the diving board bends and stores elastic potential energy. This energy is released when the person bounces back up, and the diving board returns to its original shape.

In each of these examples, the object stores elastic potential energy when it is deformed due to an applied force or displacement. The energy is released when the object returns to its original shape, resulting in a movement or change in position.

Elastic Energy FAQS

Grade 6 Science Worksheets

• Inquiry process
• Nature of Science
• Scientific Inquiry
• Inquiry, Analysis and Problem Solving
• Ethical Practices
• Science and Society
• Biotic and Abiotic Factors
• Impact of Organisms
• Adaptation
• Spheres of Earth
• Natural Resources
• Environmental Issues
• Conservation of Earth
• Understanding Technology
• Abilities To Do Technological Design
• Structure of Earth
• Solar System
• Rocks and Fossils
• Earth Systems
• Plate Tectonics
• Evolution
• Magnetic Field of Earth
• Geologic Time
• Materials and Processes That Shape a Planet
• Astronomy
• Ecology
• Energy
• Kinetic and Potential Energy
• Energy Transfer
• Matter and its Structure
• States of Matter
• Physical and Chemical Changes
• Force and Motion
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Wave Interactions
• Sound
• Light
• Introduction to Life Science
• The Origin & History of Life On Earth
• Plant and Animal Cells
• Parts of a Cell
• The Cell Cycle
• How Living Organisms Get Energy
• Classification of Organisms
• How Plants Grow & Reproduce
• The Human Respiratory System
• The Human Cardiovascular System
• The Human Digestive System
• The Human Endocrine Systems
• The Human Nervous System
• The Human Muscular System
• The Human Skeletal System

Grade 6 Math Worksheets

• Probability
• Ratio
• Sequence & Patterns
• Division Word Problems  (New)
• Solving two step equations (New)
• One Step Equation  (New)
• Place Value  (New)
• Two Step Equation  (New)
• To convert percents to decimals and vice versa  (New)
• To convert Percents to Fractions and vice versa  (New)