Question

a spring has a spring of 120 newtons per meter. calculate the elastic potential energy stored in the spring when it is stretched 2.0 centimeters. ...?

Answer 1

We know that force for a linear spring is equal to F=kx. Since energy is the potential to do work, and the spring is assumed to be perfectly elastic. Work can be written as:

W = F (integral sign) dx

Therefore,

W=k(Δx)^2 / 2
W = F Δx / 2
W = 120 (2.0) / 2
W = 120