1. Regents Physics
Springs

2. Some Kinds of Springs

3. Elastic Potential Energy
Energy is stored in a spring when work is done stretching or compressing it
This energy is called elastic potential energy

4. Compression / Elongation
The compression or elongation of a spring is the change in spring length from it’s equilibrium position when a force is applied to it
The compression (elongation) of the spring is directly proportional to the applied force…provided the elastic limit of the spring is not exceeded

5. Elastic Potential Energy
Elastic potential energy is the energy available for use when a deformed elastic object returns to its original configuration.
The symbol k is called the spring constant, a parameter that measures the spring’s resistance to being compressed or stretched.

6. Spring Constant

7. Veritcal Moving Spring
Questions to think about
Where is the elastic potential energy the max? The min?
Where is GPE max?
Where is EPE max?
animation

8. Horizontal Moving Spring
Horizontal springs don’t contain gravitational potential energy in the system
Click for animation

9. EPE Practice Problem
A spring with a spring constant of 10 N/m is stretched 0.20 meters from it’s rest position. What is the potential energy stored in the spring?
1. Write Knowns/Unknown
2. Find equation/solve
k = 10 N/m
EPE = ½ kx2
x = 0.20 m
EPE = ½ (10N/m)(0.20m)2
EPE = ?
EPE = 0.2 J
Click for solution

10. Hooke’s Law Fs = kx The applied force on a spring is proportional
to the distance the spring is displaced (x) and
the spring constant (k)
k is the spring constant and is the constant of
proportionality between the applied force and
the compression/elongation of the spring
Unit is the Newton / meter

11. Hook’s Law Practice Problem

12. Hook’s Law Problem #2

13. Combination Problem with Springs
Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy can turn into elastic potential energy
Question:
Describe the energy transformation that occurs during the blocks motion
End