Elastic strain energyEdexcel International A Level Physics: Mind map

Exam questions on Elastic strain energy

1. A spring of stiffness 250 N m⁻¹ is stretched by 0.080 m from its natural length. The spring obeys Hooke's law throughout.
   The spring is now stretched by a further 0.040 m. Calculate the additional elastic strain energy stored.2 marks
2. A student stretches a strip of polymer, keeping it within its elastic limit. She records the force at each extension: 0 N at 0 m, 3.0 N at 0.050 m, 5.0 N at 0.100 m, 6.0 N at 0.150 m and 6.5 N at 0.200 m. The force is not directly proportional to the extension.
   Estimate the elastic strain energy stored in the strip when its extension is 0.100 m.2 marks
3. A toy launcher contains a spring of stiffness 600 N m⁻¹. The spring is compressed by 0.050 m and then released, firing a ball of mass 0.025 kg along a horizontal barrel. The spring obeys Hooke's law throughout.
   Calculate the elastic strain energy stored in the compressed spring and hence the maximum speed of the ball, assuming all of the energy is transferred to the ball as kinetic energy.3 marks