A spring is gradually stretched from its natural length to an extension of metres.
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A spring is gradually stretched from its natural length to an extension of x metres.
(i) State Hooke’s law for an ideal spring.
(ii) With the help of a clearly labelled force–extension graph, explain how the work done in stretching the spring is stored as potential energy within the spring.
(iii) Show that the potential energy stored in the spring becomes zero when the extension is zero.