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POGIL: Elastic Potential Energy We have already seen that when we change the shape of a spring, rubber band, or any other elastic material, there is energy stored in the elastic potential energy mechanism Eel by virtue of its deformation. In this POGIL we will learn how to calculate the elastic potential energy of such objects. The Force Constant In the diagram below, we stretch a spring to different distances and measure the force exerted by the spring. The distance stretched and force exerted is shown in the chart and plotted on the graph below. distance stretched (m) 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 force exerted (N) 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5

1.6
1.4

force exerted (N)

1.2

1
0.8 0.6

0.4
0.2

0 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30

distance stretched (m)
The force constant of an elastic object is the amount of force exerted per distance stretched or compressed. It is an indicator of the objects stiffness. This particular spring has a force constant of:

force exerted 1.5 N 5 N/m distance stretched 0.3 m

This means that for each meter the spring is stretched, it exerts 5 N of force.

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1. The diagram below shows a rubber band stretched to different distances and the force exerted by the rubber band. distance stretched (m) 0 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20 force exerted (N) 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

(a) On the graph below, plot the value of force and distance and draw a line of best fit through the data. Put an appropriate scale on each axis.

force exerted (N)

distance stretched (m)

(b) How much force is exerted by the rubber band if it is stretched: i. 0.01 m? ii. 0.02 m? iii. 0.07 m? (c) Calculate the force constant of the rubber band.

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2. The list below describes several rubber bands that exert the forces indicated when stretched a particular distance. (a) Exerts 1 N when stretched 1 cm (b) Exerts 2 N when stretched 3 cm (c) Exerts 3 N when stretched 0.5 cm (d) Exerts 4 N when stretched 2 cm List the rubber bands in order from LOWEST stiffness to HIGHEST stiffness.

Elastic Potential Energy Suppose we have a spring with a force constant k of 5 N/m. The amount of energy stored in the spring, Eel, can be calculated using the method shown below. If the spring is stretched x = 0.05 m, the energy stored in the spring is: Eel = (force constant)(distance stretched)2 = kx2 = (5 N/m)(.05 m)2 = 0.00625 Joules If the spring is stretched x = 0.1 m, the energy stored in the spring is: Eel = (force constant)(distance stretched)2 = kx2 = (5 N/m)(0.1 m)2 = 0.025 Joules If the spring is stretched x = 0.2 m, the energy stored in the spring is: Eel = (force constant)(distance stretched)2 = kx2 = (5 N/m)(0.2 m)2 = 0.1 Joules The unit of energy is the Joule, which is abbreviated with the letter J. 3. Calculate the energy stored in Eel for each of the situations below: (a) A spring with force constant 6 N/m is compressed 3 m.

(b) A spring with force constant 30 N/m is stretched 10 m.

(c) A spring with force constant 15 N/m is stretched 4 m.

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4. How much energy is stored in Eel for each of the springs (with k = 4 N/m) below? A

0m

3m

0m

6m

4 m

0m

9 m

0m