Answer:
1/4 of Ec
Explanation:
Given that a spring is compressed so as to add U units of potential energy to it. The elastic potential energy will be
Ec = 1/2Ke^2
When this spring is instead stretched to one-half the distance it was compressed, then new e = 1/2 e
Substitute e into the formula above.
Es = 1/2 × K × (1/2 × e)^2
Es = 1/2 × K × 1/4 × e^2
Or
Es = 1/4 × 1/2Ke^2
Substitute Ec into the Es above
Es = 1/4 of Ec
Therefore, its potential energy in the same units will be one - fourth of the potential energy when compressed.
