Question

if a person pulls back a rubber band on a slingshot without letting go of it, what type of energy will the rubber band have?

Answer 1

If a person pulls back a rubber band on a slingshot without letting go of it, the rubber band will have elastic potential energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Potential energy is the energy an object has due to its position or state. Elastic potential energy specifically is the energy stored in strained or compressed elastic objects like springs and rubber bands.

When the rubber band is stretched, mechanical work is done by applying a force to elongate the rubber band. This work goes into storing elastic potential energy within the rubber band's material.

The longer and more forcibly the rubber band is stretched, the higher the elastic potential energy it gains. When released, this stored potential energy is converted back to motion and kinetic energy as the rubber band snaps back to its original shape.

So in summary, when a rubber band on a slingshot is pulled back but not released, the stretched rubber band contains elastic potential energy due to the work done stretching the rubber band's material. When the rubber band is released, this potential energy is converted into the motion and speed of the projectile launched using the slingshot.

Answer 2

When a person pulls back a rubber band on a slingshot without letting go, the rubber band will possess potential energy. Specifically, it will have elastic potential energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in an object, such as a stretched or compressed spring or a stretched rubber band when it is deformed from its equilibrium position. When you pull back the rubber band on a slingshot, you are stretching it, and the rubber band stores potential energy due to its deformation. The potential energy is directly related to how much the rubber band is stretched or elongated.

This potential energy is converted into kinetic energy when the person releases the rubber band, allowing it to snap back to its original position. The stored energy is then transferred to the projectile (e.g., a stone or a ball) attached to the rubber band, propelling it forward.