Forces and Elasticity

How can force be calculated (spring constant, extension)

force \= spring constant x extension (F\=ke)

What is force measured in

newtons (N)

What is spring constant measured in

newtons per metre (N/m)

What is extension measured in

metres (m)

What happens when you apply a force to an object

it can compress, stretch or bend

What must you do when applying a force if you want it to stay still

apply more than one force

What is it called when an object changes shape

it has become deformed

What are the two types of deformation

elastic, inelastic

What is elastic deformation

the object changes back to its original shape after deformation

What is inelastic deformation

the object stays deformed after deformation

What is extension

the increase in length of a spring when it's stretched

How can we measure extension

measure how the spring's length changes as we add downwards force

What can happen to a spring before we even add force

mass will be exerting a downward force, weight, meaning there will already be some extension

Why doesn't the spring fall down when you add mass

the solid support is exerting an equal opposite force

What is spring constant

how many newtons it would take to stretch the object by 1m

What is the relationship between spring constant and stiffness

the higher the spring constant, the stiffer the object (they require more force to stretch)

What is Hooke's Law

the extension of an object is directly proportional to the force applied

Why does the line start to curve in a force to extension graph

the elastic limit has been reached

What happens after the elastic limit

Hooke's law does not apply, object becomes inelastically deformed

How do you calculate elastic potential energy

elastic potential energy \= 1/2 x spring constant x extension^2 (E\=1/2ke^2)

What is elastic potential energy

the energy transferred to an object as its being stretched

What is the gradient in a force/extension graph equal to

spring constant

What is the area under the curve in a force/extension graph equal to

energy transferred to the spring

When a spring is released what is most of the elastic potential energy transferred to

kinetic energy