4.5.3.1 Elasticity

Spec reference: 4.5.3 (subtopic).

What you need to know

• Elasticity
• When work is done on an elastic object,
• such as a spring, the energy is stored as
• elastic potential energy.
• When the force is applied, the
• object changes shape and stretches.
• The energy is stored as elastic
• potential and when the force is no

Self-assessment (checklist)

• I can give examples of the forces involved in stretching,
• I can explain why, to change the shape of a stationary
• I can describe the difference between elastic
• I can describe the relationship between the extension
• I can recall and apply the correct equation to calculate
• I can rearrange the equation linking extension, force
• I can describe the relationship between the work done
• I can describe the difference between a linear and
• I can apply the correct equation from the physics
• I can calculate relevant values of stored energy and
• I can interpret data from an investigation of the
• I can describe a method to investigate the relationship

Key steps (method)

• Identify what the question is testing and use the correct equation/definition.
• Show substitutions and units clearly.

Common mistakes

• Unit conversions, rearranging errors, or quoting a law without applying it.