Strain energy

[KatieKangaroo]

why is strain energy (i.e. the work done in stretching a wire) regarded as a form of potential energy?
ehm i dont really know how to explain this. anyone help?

 

[Cyrus]

Because it is a form of elastic energy, that will spring back when the tension is released, provided that you do not stretch the wire until either (a.) you get plastic deformation, or (b.) you reach the ultimate tensile strength and snap the wire in to death shards.