What is the Elastic Potential Energy Stored in a Compressed Spring?

Thread starter kelly242
Start date May 3, 2011
Tags

Elastic Elastic potential energy Energy Potential Potential energy

AI Thread Summary

To find the elastic potential energy stored in a compressed spring, the formula Ep = 1/2 kx² is used, where k is the spring constant and x is the compression distance. In this case, a force of 5.00 N compresses the spring by 5.00 cm (0.05 m), allowing the calculation of the spring constant k as 100 N/m. Substituting k and x into the energy formula yields an elastic potential energy of 0.125 J. Understanding the relationship between force, spring constant, and compression is crucial for solving similar problems. The calculated energy reflects the work done in compressing the spring.

May 3, 2011

kelly242

Homework Statement

A force of 5.00 N compresses a spring 5.00 cm. What is the elastic potential energy stored in the compressed spring?

Homework Equations

Ep=1/2kx²

The Attempt at a Solution

Epelastic needs to calculated. I really do not know how to get there. K=f/x
k=5N/ 0.05m
100 N/m
the answer is actually 0.125 J

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May 3, 2011

TobeHode

So now you know k, and all that is left is...

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