Elastic Potential Energy Calculator

Enter the spring force constant and the stretch length of the spring/material to calculate spring potential energy.

Elastic Potential Energy Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the potential energy of and elastic object, most often referred to as a spring.

U = 0.5 * k * y^2

Where U is the potential energy in Joules
k is the spring constant (N/m)
and y is the distance the spring or object is stretched.

It can be seen from the equation above that the potential energy is linearly correlated with the spring constant and to exponentially to the distance it is stretched. This equation was formulated through the laws of potential energy as well as the law of elastic objects that indicates a spring constant.

Elastic Potential Energy Defintion

An elastic potential energy is a specific potential energy when applied to spring systems. When springs are compressed or stretched they store potential energy within it’s elastic structure.

How to calculate elastic potential energy?

How to calculate an elastic potential energy

First, determine the spring constant of the spring or system
This can be gathered through given information or a force test on the spring.
Next, measure the length
This is the length the spring has stretched.
Finally, calculate the potential energy
Enter the length and spring constant into the formula above to calculate the elastic potential energy.

FAQ

What is an elastic potential energy?

An elastic potential energy is a type of potential energy that comes about due to the elastic nature of springs and similar systems. In short, springs want to maintain their shape due to their elasticity, so when they are stretched they want to return to their original state.

What effects elastic potential?

The material a spring is made of is the most common factor that effects the rate of elastic potential a spring has.