Physics A-level question on elastic potential energy
Describe and explain, without further calculations, the difference in the elastic potential energies in the straight wire and in the spring when a force of 5.0 N is applied to each.
Does the wire have a smaller elastic potential energy because it can't be stretched as much as a spring can and therefore won't be as deformed after reaching the elastic limit? I'm really confused.
Does the wire have a smaller elastic potential energy because it can't be stretched as much as a spring can and therefore won't be as deformed after reaching the elastic limit? I'm really confused.
you'd have to refer to some formula even if you don't perform a calculation.
so for example you could state that PE=1/2 k x2 and because x is squared, x is much more important than k in determining the amount of KE... so low k springs store more energy for a given force than high k springs.
so for example you could state that PE=1/2 k x2 and because x is squared, x is much more important than k in determining the amount of KE... so low k springs store more energy for a given force than high k springs.
Original post by stillcrying
Describe and explain, without further calculations, the difference in the elastic potential energies in the straight wire and in the spring when a force of 5.0 N is applied to each.
Does the wire have a smaller elastic potential energy because it can't be stretched as much as a spring can and therefore won't be as deformed after reaching the elastic limit? I'm really confused.
Does the wire have a smaller elastic potential energy because it can't be stretched as much as a spring can and therefore won't be as deformed after reaching the elastic limit? I'm really confused.
Think about the work done by the force.
Original post by Joinedup
you'd have to refer to some formula even if you don't perform a calculation.
so for example you could state that PE=1/2 k x2 and because x is squared, x is much more important than k in determining the amount of KE... so low k springs store more energy for a given force than high k springs.
so for example you could state that PE=1/2 k x2 and because x is squared, x is much more important than k in determining the amount of KE... so low k springs store more energy for a given force than high k springs.
I’ll go through it with my teacher I think but thank you so much.
Original post by stillcrying
I’ll go through it with my teacher I think but thank you so much.
If I don't remember wrongly it was a past OCR question and I think before this part, you were told to calculate the extension of spring and the wire.
Using the info on the extension and the clue provided by Joinedup, you should be able to come to a conclusion that the spring would have more elastic potential energy. I would suggest using the relationship of ½ Fx instead of ½ kx2 because there is only one variable that is different in ½ Fx but there are 2 variables that are different in ½ kx2.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- GCSE Physics help!
- Edexcel GCSE Physics Paper 2 Higher Tier Triple 1PH0 2H - 16th June 2023 [Exam Chat]
- Maths Further ( Mechanics)
- AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 (Higher Tier triple) 8463/1H - 25th May 2023 [Exam Chat]
- A level further maths elastic spring and strings question
- AQA A-level Further Mathematics Paper 3 Mechanics (7367/3M) - 14 June 2023
- Isaac Physics: Essential Pre-Uni Physics B9.1 (B)
- How do i improve physics problem solving?
- AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy - Physics Paper 1 (Higher) 8464/P/1H [Exam Chat]
- Edexcel A Level Further Mathematics Paper 3C (9FM0 3C) - 7th June 2024 [Exam Chat]
- How Hard is A Level Further Maths?
- Help with (AQA) Thermal Physics / Electric Fields A-Level question?
- Elastic collisions (A level physics)
- How's FM1 - Edexcel?
- Electric Fields Help
- A-level Physics Study Group 2022-2023
- Dr Kathy Romer answers your questions about Physics!
- GCSE Physics Question Help
- How to answer 6-mark questions in A-Level Biology?
- A level physics help
