elastic potential energy
- noun
- /ɪˈlæstɪk pəˈtɛnʃəl ˈɛnərdʒi/
- Specialized
:
energía potencial elástica
- Engineers calculate elastic potential energy to design effective shock absorbers.
Examples
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When you compress a spring, you increase its elastic potential energy.
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A stretched rubber band contains elastic potential energy that is released when it snaps back.
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The elastic potential energy in the spring allows it to return to its original shape.
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When you stretch a rubber band, it stores elastic potential energy.
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When you stretch a spring, it stores elastic potential energy that can be released to propel an object.
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A drawn bow has elastic potential energy that is transformed into kinetic energy when the string is released.
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The elastic potential energy in the rubber band allows it to snap back to its original shape after being stretched.
Synonyms
1
4.4
Energy stored in an object when it is stretched or squeezed like a spring
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the potential energy stored in an object when it is deformed' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'elastic' (springing back after deformation), 'potential' (stored capacity), and 'energy' (usable power). Although it is a technical physics term, the compound follows standard compositional noun patterns and has direct equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can infer the meaning.
Etymology
The term elastic potential energy comes from the simple picture of a spring or rubber band that is pulled or squashed. The elastic object 'stores' energy and the potential part shows that this energy is ready to be used when it snaps back, so the phrase means the energy kept inside a stretched or compressed thing.