Question

When you compress a coil spring you do work on it. The elastic potential energy

• A. increases
• B. decreases
• C. disappears
• D. remains unchanged.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

increases

Explanation for correct option:

The correct option is (A) increases

1. The potential energy stored in an elastic body, for example, spring as a result of its deformation is termed elastic potential energy.
2. This energy is equal to the work done to stretch or compress a spring.
3. It is given as, $W=PE=\frac{1}{2}k{x}^2$, where, $W$ is work done, $PE$ is potential energy, $k$ is spring constant and $x$ is the distance through which the spring is stretched or compressed.
4. When the spring is compressed, work is done on it. This work is equal to the elastic potential energy which is stored in the spring.

Hence, the elastic potential energy increases.