Elastic potential energy
What Elastic potential energy means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Elastic potential energy
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Reference: OCR
The energy stored in a material when it is stretched or compressed elastically, recovered when the deforming force is removed.
The energy stored in a spring obeying Hooke's law, given by the area under its straight-line graph as ½kx².
Topics that use Elastic potential energy
- Work, energy and power (AQA A-Level)
- Mechanical properties of matter (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Brittle
- Ductile
- Elastic limit
- Force constant
- Graphical analysis of Hooke's law data
- Hooke's law
- Hooke's law behaviour
- Hysteresis
Using Elastic potential energy in the exam
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