Question

Define Elastic energy and give some examples of it.

Answer 1

When attempting questions like the one given above, keep in mind the various concepts surrounding energy, and the different types of energy like the one asked here is about Elastic energy. Remember the various key points regarding elastic energy like deformation, elastic limits et cetera.

Complete step-by-step solution:
When we talk about Elastic energy, the first thing we understand is that it’s a type of energy.
Now we know that energy is basically the capability to do work. There are various forms of energy , and different ways for it to exist like kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, electrical energy, chemical energy, nuclear energy and so many more.
Now when we come to talk about Potential energy, we know that potential energy is that type of stored energy which depends upon the relative position of various parts of the system. For example, a spring has more potential energy when it is compressed or stretched as compared to when it is in a relaxed position. A steel ball will have more potential energy when it is raised above the ground than it has after falling to Earth; this is because it can do more work in the raised position. Hence we can say that potential energy is a property of a system and thus not of an individual body or particle.
Elastic energy is one type of said potential energy.
Elastic energy can be defined as a form of potential energy which is stored in the object when any external force is applied to it in order to deform it. This type of energy is stored inside the object as long as the force is being applied to the object. So that means that as soon as the force is removed from the object, this energy does work to form the object back into its original shape.
Some examples of Elastic energy can be
An archer’s stretched bow
A bent diving board, just before a divers jump

Note: Another type of potential energy is known as Electric potential energy. Here the energy is possessed by an object by the virtue of two other elements which are the charge possessed by the object itself and the relative position held by the object with respect to other electrically charged objects.