Elastic Potential Energy and Dissipation

This lesson covers elastic potential energy — the energy stored when an object is stretched or compressed — and explores the concept of energy dissipation in more detail. Both topics are part of the AQA GCSE Physics specification (Section 4.1) and are commonly examined.

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Elastic Potential Energy

Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in an object when it is stretched or compressed. This applies to springs, rubber bands, trampolines, and any other elastic object.

When a spring is stretched or compressed, work is done on it. This work is stored as elastic potential energy. When the force is released, the stored energy is transferred to other stores (such as kinetic energy).

The Elastic Potential Energy Equation

E_e = 0.5 x k x e^2

Where:

• E_e = elastic potential energy in joules (J)
• k = spring constant in newtons per metre (N/m)
• e = extension (or compression) in metres (m)

Quantity	Symbol	Unit
Elastic potential energy	E_e	joules (J)
Spring constant	k	newtons per metre (N/m)
Extension	e	metres (m)