Final answer:
The release of stored energy due to deformation by stress in rocks is referred to as elastic potential energy, which follows Hooke's law—PEel = (1/2)kx²—and is affected by the type and magnitude of stress as well as the properties of the rock.
Step-by-step explanation:
The release of stored energy from rocks that are deformed by stress is commonly referred to as elastic potential energy. In geology and physics, this concept is related to the behavior of rocks under stress and strain. When rocks encounter stress, they deform up to a point called the elastic limit. If the stress is released before reaching this limit, the rocks will return to their original shape. However, beyond the elastic limit, rocks undergo plastic deformation or fracture and will not return to their original shape. This concept is analogized through Hooke's law, which applies to many systems where deformation occurs.
Hooke's law shows that elastic potential energy (PEel) is related to the force constant (k) of the material and the displacement (x) squared, mathematically described as PEel = (1/2)kx². This relation holds for systems where only deformation is the result of applied force, without any energy loss to heat, sound, or kinetic energy. The stored potential energy depends on factors like the type of stress (tensile, compressive, bulk, or shear), the material's properties, and the deformation conditions (pressure, temperature, and the duration of stress).