Elastic Potential Energy: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Potential energy is the energy that an object holds in the starting relative to other objects, its electric charge, and other significant factors. The name of potential energy was first discovered by physicist William Rankine in the 19th century. There are several types of potential energies associated with the relative objects and their factors including the elastic potential energy. One needs to elasticate the object to potential energy to work.

Potential energy is categorised into two types, which are as follows:

1. Gravitational Potential Energy - When an object is raised to a certain height above the ground, the energy possessed can be defined as gravitational potential energy.
2. Elastic potential energy - The second type of energy is elastic potential energy. The elastic potential energy can be stretched or compressed in either way. The object needs to be elasticated for elastic potential energy to work.

As discussed above, Potential energy that can be compressed and stretch from one form into another is called Elastic Potential energy. The object needs to be elasticated, pulled from one endpoint to the other to reach an elastic potential so the energy within can work. Some examples of elastic potential energy are as below:

• Rubber band
• Stretch bow of an archer
• Spring of a clock
• Diver board, etc.

The force applied to stretch the spring of elastic is directly proportional to the displacement in the elastic. This theory is also known as Hooke's Law.

It can be seen below:

Stretched Spring

According to Hooke’s Law, the formula is:

F = kx

• F is the force
• K is the spring constant
• X is the displacement of the spring.

The formula of Elastic Potential energy can be written as:

1. E. = ½ kx²

Note: P. E. denotes the elastic potential energy. The SI unit of potential energy is Joule.

Elastic Potential Energy for Class 11

The chapter Energy holds a weightage of 6 marks in total as per the guideline of CBSE. It contains one very short question (2 marks), one objective type question (1 mark), and one short question (2 marks).

Example 1) Write the SI unit of Elastic potential energy.

Answer – The SI unit of Elastic potential energy is Joules.

Example 2) Illustrate an example of Gravitational Potential energy.

Answer – The illustration of Gravitational potential energy is shown below:

Example 3) Calculate displacement if P. E. is 20 J and spring constant is 200 N / m.

Answer – Potential energy = 20 J,

K = 200 N / m

Q: List a few examples which can be used to understand/study the concept of elastic potential energy.

Q: What is Gravitational Potential energy?

Q: What are the forms of Potential Energy?

Q: What are the two examples of Gravitational Potential energy in everyday life?

Q: What is the mathematical formula of Potential Energy?