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Island Physics

energy

Home >> AP Physics I >> Energy >> Springs
GPE and KE >>

4.2 - Springs

Objectives:
  • To know how to find the work done to stretch a spring
Elastic potential energy \(EPE\) or \(U_s\) is the energy that is stored in a stretched or squashed spring.  It doesn't have to be a spring actually, but any material that can stretch or compress.  There is a huge amount of stored energy in a highly tensioned wire or rope.  At AP level it is assumed that the spring 'obeys' Hooke's Law.  That is that the extension (stretch/squash) is directly proportional to the applied force.   The more you stretch a spring the harder it is do stretch, or the more it wants to return back to its rest state.  The elastic potential energy is equal to the work done in stretching or squashing the spring.  This is numerically equal to the work done by the spring when it is released, assuming 100% efficiency.  The derivation for this comes from the area under the \(F(x)\) graph.
\[​EPE = U_{s}=\frac{1}{2}kx^{2}\]
​Now, this is a very useful equation to memorise (which is easy as almost all things energy are in the form \(\frac{1}{2} constant \times variable^2\).  AP examiners love spring loaded objects that are then launched upwards or sideways and then collide with something else or become a projectile.  It is a good way to test a whole range of concepts!

GPE and KE >>

Other Resources

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PhET Simulation: Energy Skate Park
CK-12: Kinetic Energy
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PhET Simulation: Harder Skate Park
CK-12: Potential Energy
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    • Kinematics >
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      • Describing Motion
      • Equations of Motion
      • Problem Solving
      • Projectiles
      • Kinematics Animations
    • Dynamics >
      • Forces
      • Static Equilibrium
      • Newton's Laws
      • Friction
      • Advanced Problems
    • Gravitation and Orbits >
      • Circular Motion
      • Vertical Circles
      • Universal Gravitation
      • Orbits
      • Circular Motion Animation
    • Energy >
      • Work
      • Springs
      • PE and KE
      • Conservation of Energy
      • Work-Energy Theorem
    • Linear Momentum >
      • Impulse
      • Conservation of Momentum
      • Types of Collision
      • 2-D Collisions
    • Simple Harmonic Motion >
      • Mass on Spring
      • Pendulums
      • SHM Animations
    • Rotational Mechanics >
      • Torque
      • Rotational Kinematics
      • Rotational Dynamics
      • Angular Momentum
      • Rotational Energy
    • Mechanical Waves >
      • Waves on a String
      • Sound
    • AP-1 Revision
    • AP Physics C (Mechanics)
  • Physics II
    • Fluid Mechanics
    • Thermal Physics
    • Electrostatics
    • Magnetic Fields >
      • EM Induction
    • Interference and Diffraction
    • Optics
    • Modern Physics
    • AP 2 Revision
  • OCEANOGRAPHY
    • The World Ocean >
      • What is Oceanography
      • History
      • Lat and Long
      • Size and Origin
      • Plate Tectonics
    • Seawater >
      • A Salty Sea
      • Measuring Salinity
      • Thermal Properties
      • Density Profiles
      • Drinking Seawater
    • Circulation and Climate >
      • Global Heating
      • Coriolis Effect
      • Surface Currents
      • Vertical Motion
      • Thermohaline Circulation
      • El Nino
      • Carbon Cycle
    • Waves and Tides >
      • Wave Motion
      • Formation of Waves
      • Beaches
      • Tsunamis
      • Tides
    • Observation Systems >
      • Challenges
      • The CTD
      • Moorings
      • Sound Waves
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