Final answer:
Elastic energy is the potential energy stored when an object, such as a spring, is deformed. It can be calculated with (1/2)kx² where k is the force constant and x is the displacement. Common examples include a stretched bungee cord and a drawn bow before releasing an arrow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elastic energy is the potential energy stored as a result of the deformation of an elastic object, such as the stretching or compressing of a spring. When an elastic object is deformed, the energy is stored within the material. Upon release, this energy can do work, thereby transferring the potential energy back to kinetic form. According to Hooke's Law, the elastic potential energy (PEel) stored in a system can be calculated using the formula PEel = (1/2)kx², where k is the force constant of the spring, and x is the displacement from its equilibrium position.
Examples where elastic energy is found include:
- A bungee cord stretched during a bungee jump.
- The potential energy in a drawn bow before the arrow is released.
These are real-world examples demonstrating the storage of elastic energy in different systems capable of returning to their original shape or condition after being deformed.