In which of the following situations is potential energy being stored?

Question

Examoogle · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is Option C: Stretching a rubber band. Potential energy is the energy held by an object due to its position or configuration. Stretching a rubber band involves doing work against the internal elastic forces to deform it, which is stored as elastic potential energy.

Step-by-Step Solution & Concepts:
Potential energy is the energy held by an object due to its position or configuration. Stretching a rubber band involves doing work against the internal elastic forces to deform it, which is stored as elastic potential energy.

Working Principle: When a material like rubber is stretched, the long molecular chains within the polymer are pulled out of their equilibrium, coiled state. This process requires work ($W$), which is stored within the material as elastic potential energy ($U$). According to Hooke's Law for ideal elastic materials, this energy is proportional to the square of the displacement.

Key Formulas: $U = \frac{1}{2} k x^2$ — where $U$ is the elastic potential energy, $k$ is the spring constant, and $x$ is the displacement/stretch.

Key Points: Potential energy is 'stored' energy that can be recovered later as work.; Mechanical potential energy exists in two main forms: gravitational and elastic.; Stretching or compressing an object that resists deformation stores elastic potential energy.

Advantages: Useful for energy storage in mechanical systems (e.g., clocks, catapults).

Disadvantages: Elastic hysteresis occurs in polymers, meaning some energy is dissipated as heat rather than fully recovered.

Applications: Catapults and slingshots; Mechanical watch springs; Archery bows

Additional Info: Pushing a vehicle on a plane road primarily converts energy into kinetic energy and work against friction (thermal energy).. Moving a pencil across a table is a simple displacement where work is primarily lost to friction.. Lighting a matchstick involves the conversion of chemical potential energy into heat and light energy via an exothermic redox reaction.

Answer: C is correct — Stretching a rubber band performs work against its elastic restoring force, which is stored within the band as elastic potential energy.

Exam Tip: Always distinguish between 'work done against conservative forces' (which stores potential energy) and 'work done against non-conservative forces like friction' (which dissipates energy as heat).

Examoogle · Answer

Option A: Pushing a vehicle on the plane road

Examoogle · Answer

Option B: Moving a pencil across a table

Examoogle · Answer

Option D: Lighting a matchstick

Correct Answer

Solve 10,000+ More Questions with AI Tutor

Discussion (0)

Correct Answer

Solve 10,000+ More Questions with AI Tutor

Related Questions

Discussion (0)