^suppose I'm able to get the K constant, and thus the Force/Inch-of-compression for that spring. Is there a way I can plug into some equation and get how much potential energy is built up in the spring? My main goal is that I was hoping I could get some ideas for how to practically do this at home.
Homework Statement
So I have before me a set of springs about this size: http://tinyurl.com/8g7kvu5 . Some are a little longer, some are wider, and some are slightly stronger. I need a home-made way to measure how much potential energy each spring can build up if I compress it at 2 inches or 3...