Storing Energy in a Rubber Band: Does Mass Increase?

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When a rubber band is stretched, it stores elastic potential energy, which theoretically increases its mass according to the principles of physics. This stored energy contributes to a slight increase in weight, similar to how a charged battery weighs more than a discharged one. The discussion encourages calculating the actual mass increase to understand the concept better. The energy stored in the stretched rubber band cannot dissipate, reinforcing the idea that it equates to mass. Overall, stretching a rubber band does result in a measurable increase in mass due to the energy stored within it.
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Does this mean if I had a rubber band and weighed it, then stretched and weighed it while being stretched out, that it would weigh more at that time? Since at that time it has stored energy, which equates to mass?
 
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Yes, that is what it means. And a charged battery will weigh slightly more than discharged battery, and so forth.

It is a worthwhile exercise to calculate just how much mass increase we're talking about... Try it!
 
Nugatory said:
Yes, that is what it means.

If you stretch out a rubber band the energy is converted into elastic potential energy. The fact that the rubber band is stretched out proves that the vast majority of the energy cannot go anywhere else, eg. mass.
 

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