What Causes Heat to be Released in a Deformed Spring?

[j-lee00]

For example

If I extend and compress a spring numerous times the spring will increase in temperature.

Where does the rise in temperature come from?

The atoms that "make up" the spring from an atomistic point where does this rise in temperature come from?

 

[Superstring]

First off, temperature and heat are not the same thing.

Heat is the energy transferred from one object to another due to a difference in temperature.

Temperature is just the average kinetic energy of the molecules in a substance.

 

[j-lee00]

First off, temperature and heat are not the same thing.

Heat is the energy transferred from one object to another due to a difference in temperature.

Temperature is just the average kinetic energy of the molecules in a substance.

Correct, it was a mistake however can be rationalized, with the fact that there is heat "caused by" the compression and extension of the spring.

But the point is was, where does the temperature rise come from?

Is your ans that the average KE is increased of the spring particles?

 

[Superstring]

Correct, it was a mistake however can be rationalized, with the fact that there is heat "caused by" the compression and extension of the spring.

But the point is was, where does the temperature rise come from?

From a rise in the kinetic energy of the substance. You put energy into the spring and the molecules reacted accordingly.

 

[j-lee00]

But how does the KE rise if it is assumed that atoms are spheres which interact elastically?

 

[russ_watters]

You just answered your own question: they don't quite act elastically.

 

[j-lee00]

You just answered your own question: they don't quite act elastically.

How do they interact then in this case?

 

[jack action]

In theory, a spring does not produce heat, because all energy used to compress it, is "stored" until it is released.

In practice, metal spring can be deformed (sagging). If too much force is employed it can leads to rupture. This, obviously, means breaking molecular links (even deformation). When links are broken, energy is released in the form of heat.