Elastic Potential Energy Calculator U = ½kΔx²

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Elastic Potential Energy Calculator

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\( U = \dfrac{1}{2}k \Delta x^2 \)

elastic energy

U =

units

spring constant

k =

change in position

Δx =

Significant Figures

Answer:

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Calculator Use

This calculator finds the missing variable in the physics equation for Elastic Potential Energy U = ½kΔx², when two of the variables are known.

Elastic Potential Energy Equation used in this Calculator

\( U = \dfrac{1}{2}k \Delta x^2 \)

Where:
\( U \) = elastic energy
\( k \) = spring constant
\( \Delta x \) = change is position (displacement)

The Elastic Potential Energy Calculator uses the formula U = ½kΔx² where U is the elastic energy, k is the spring constant and Δx is the change in position or displacement, such as the distance a spring is being stretched.

Potential Energy Units
used in this Calculator

Symbol

Unit Name

joule

kilojoule

megajoule

BTU

British thermal unit [IT]

cal

calorie

kcal

kilocalorie

W·h

watt-hour

kW·h

kilowatt-hour

electronvolt

ft·lbf or ft·lb

foot-pound-force

Elastic Potential Energy Calculations:

Solving for spring force, spring constant or spring displacement we use the following formulas:

Calculate U Given k and Δx
Calculate elastic energy given spring constant and change in position.

\( U = \dfrac{1}{2}k \Delta x^2 \)

Calculate k Given U and Δx
Calculate the spring constant given elastic energy and change in position.

\( k = \dfrac{2U}{\Delta x^2} \)

Calculate Δx Given U and k
Calculate change in position given elastic energy and the spring constant.

\( \Delta x = \sqrt{ \dfrac{2U}{k} } \)