Final answer:
The Elastic Rebound Hypothesis states that rocks bend and then break, releasing stored energy after reaching their elastic limit. This process is analogous to the energy storage in elastic deformation as described by Hooke's Law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypothesis that describes how rocks deform by bending and then breaking, releasing stored energy, is known as the Elastic Rebound Hypothesis. When rocks are subject to stress, they first undergo elastic deformation, where they can return to their original shape once the stress is removed, similar to the behavior described by Hooke's Law. Upon reaching the elastic limit, rocks will either bend into folds (plastic deformation) or fracture (brittle behavior), and at this point, they will not return to their original shape once the stress is removed.
In a more brittle manner near the surface, this energy release often occurs in the form of earthquakes. The stored energy or elastic potential energy in the deformed rocks is given by the formula PEel = (1/2)kx², where 'k' is the stiffness of the rock, and 'x' is the amount of deformation.