What energy is stored in anything that is stretched or squashed?

Question

What energy is stored in anything that is stretched or squashed?

thanks,

bk_1

Answer 1

It depends...

Elastic deformation case:

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If after the stretching the item is able to go back to its initial shape then you converted mechanical energy into microscopic potential energy and vice versa.

What you specifically do in the case of metals and elastomers when you stretch them is that you increase the distance between the atoms of the chains.

Plastic deformation case:

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If the body is not able to return to its initial shape. In this case most of your energy has been converted into heat.

Answer 2

Energy is stored in springs when stretched or compressed.

Answer 3

It's generally referred to as potential energy.  If you want to get more specific, there are different types of potential energy (chemical, gravitational, etc.), but for your purposes, "potential energy" will probably suffice.