# Formula for potential energy store din a strained solid?

1. Apr 19, 2005

### ninjagowoowoo

formula for potential energy stored in a strained solid??

I was wondering of there was some formula for finding the potential energy stored in a strained/stressed solid. I have this problem:

A scallop forces open its shell with a material called abductin, the elastic modulus of which is about 2.20×106 N/m2. If this piece of abductin is 2.88 mm thick and has a cross-sectional area of 0.515 cm2, how much potential energy does it store when compressed 1.19 mm?

Unfortunately my prof. didnt mention a damned thing about potential energy, so i was wondering if someone could help me out with this... oh yeah and it's not in our book either...

Last edited: Apr 19, 2005
2. Apr 19, 2005

### asrodan

$$F = \lambda \frac {Ax}{L} = T$$

F = force, $$\lambda$$= modulus of elasticity, A = cross sectional area x = displacement L = natural length T = tension

$$E = \int F dx = \lambda \frac {Ax^2}{2L}$$

E = elastic potential energy

3. Apr 19, 2005

### ninjagowoowoo

Wow thanks a bunch. However I'm still not getting the correct answer....

I'm calculating this:

2.20x10^6 * (0.0000515 *(0.00119^2) / 0.00288*2) = 23.4075J which is incorrect.

I got it... turned out to be some weird computational error. Anyway, thanks again !!!

Last edited: Apr 19, 2005