Question

What type of energy is stored in the following cases?

a) A stretched rubber band

b) A compressed spring

c) An extended spring (or slinky)

d) An object at a certain height

e) A stretched bow

Answer 1

1. Gravitational potential energy

1. Gravitational potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position in a gravitational field.
2. Whenever an object of a certain mass is lifted above the ground level, there is some work done to displace the object, which is then stored in the object as gravitational potential energy.

2. Elastic potential energy

1. Elastic potential energy is the energy that is stored in an elastic material after deformation.
2. Whenever an object is stretched or compressed, elastic potential energy is gained by them,

3. Identifying the form of energy stored

a) A stretched rubber band - Elastic potential energy

b) A compressed spring - Elastic potential energy

c) An extended spring (or slinky) - Elastic potential energy

d) An object at a certain height - Gravitational potential energy

e) A stretched bow - Elastic potential energy