Question

Derive an equation for potential energy of spring

Answer 1

Answer:

For the distance, we use the displacement of the spring. You might assume we would get the formula for elastic potential energy as follows:

PE = Work = force * distance

So:

PE = (kx) * x

This then simplifies to:

PE = kx^2

However, this turns out to be wrong. To see the correct equation for elastic potential energy, we need to look at a force vs. displacement graph.