1. What is Elastic Potential Energy?

Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in elastic materials as a result of their stretching or compressing. For a vertical spring with a mass attached, this energy depends on the spring constant and the mass attached to it.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the elastic potential energy formula:

Where:

• \( U \) — Elastic potential energy (Joules)
• \( k \) — Spring constant (N/m)
• \( m \) — Mass (kg)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²)

Explanation: The formula calculates the energy stored in a spring when a mass is attached to it and the spring is at its equilibrium position.

3. Importance of Elastic Potential Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating elastic potential energy is crucial in physics and engineering for understanding energy conservation, designing spring systems, and analyzing mechanical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter spring constant in N/m and mass in kg. All values must be valid (spring constant > 0, mass > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the spring constant?
A: The spring constant (k) is a measure of the stiffness of a spring. It represents the force needed to stretch or compress the spring by a unit distance.

Q2: Why is gravitational acceleration included?
A: For a vertical spring, gravity affects the equilibrium position, which in turn affects the potential energy stored in the spring.

Q3: Can this formula be used for horizontal springs?
A: For horizontal springs without gravity effects, the formula simplifies to U = (1/2) × k × x², where x is the displacement from equilibrium.

Q4: What are typical units for elastic potential energy?
A: Elastic potential energy is measured in Joules (J) in the SI system.

Q5: Does this calculation account for spring mass?
A: No, this calculation assumes a massless spring. For springs with significant mass, more complex calculations are needed.