Moderate

A wire suspended vertically from one end is stretched by attaching a weight of 20N to the lower end. The weight stretches the wire by 1mm. How much energy is gained by the wire ?

Correct answer: A. 0.01J

  • A. 0.01J
  • B. 0.02J
  • C. 0.04J
  • D. 1.0J

Explanation

The wire's elastic energy is the area under its linear force-extension graph: E = 1/2 x F x x = 1/2 x 20 N x 0.001 m = 0.010 J. The likely mistake is 0.02 J, which uses F x x and forgets that the force increases gradually from 0 N to 20 N.

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Potential energy is energy stored because of position or configuration, including gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface and elastic energy in a stretched or compressed spring. Questions use changes in potential energy and conservation of mechanical energy, while distinguishing a chosen reference level from an absolute zero of energy.

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