160 Elastic Potential Energy Formula Derivation

A derivation of the elastic potential energy formula that is used to obtain \(U_{\mathrm{Sp}} = \dfrac{1}{2}k(\Delta s)^{2}\) from the spring force.

The elastic potential energy is

\[ U_{\mathrm{Sp}} = \dfrac{1}{2}k(\Delta s)^{2} \]

where

  • \(U_{\mathrm{Sp}}\) is the elastic potential energy.
  • \(k\) is the spring constant.
  • \(\Delta s\) is the displacement from equilibrium.