Question

When does the potential energy of a spring increase?

Answer 1

The potential energy of a spring

1. The potential energy of a spring is the energy stored in the spring.
2. When a spring is stretched or compressed, some external force or work is being done on the spring.
3. This external work done on the spring gets stored inside the spring, and as a result, the potential energy of the spring is increased.

Numerically, the potential energy of the spring can be expressed as follows:

$p.e.=\frac{1}{2}k{x}^2$

Here,

$p.e.$ is the potential energy of the spring.

$k$ is the spring constant.

$x$ is the change in length of the spring.

Hence, the greater the change in length of the spring, the more potential energy of the spring.