Out of a pair of identical springs of spring constants , one is compressed by and the other is stretched by . The difference in P.E. stored in the two springs is:
Step 1: Given data
Spring constant
Compression = Elongation =
Step 2: Formula used
Potential energy stored in spring is given as
Step 3: Calculating P.E. when compressed
The string is compressed by 10 cm. Therefore
Step 4: Calculating P.E. when stretched
The string is stretched by 10 cm. Therefore
Step 5: Calculating the difference in P.E.
Difference in potential energy is as follows
Hence, the difference in P.E. stored in the two springs is .