Table Of Contents

 

Elastic

A special material that is able to return to its original shape when the influencing force is removed

Properties of Elastic Systems

Damping

A higher damping more energy is lost quicker. If damping is 0, no energy is lost ever.

Spring constant (k)

This is the stiffness of the spring. It is very tricky to calculate the spring constant. Even the tiniest imperfection will change ‘k’. Springs are not designed with a specific ‘k’ in mind because it is virtually impossible to manufacture your exact ‘k’ spring.

SI Units

The SI unit for the spring constant is

Elasticity

Perfect Elastic

Deformation And Energy

When an elastic is it stores energy and can release it when no force is applied. Maximum deformation is the same regardless of if you compress or expand the elastic

Hooke’s Law

Elastic Potential Energy

k : the spring constant x : length of the deformation

Elastic Potential Energy Proof

Why Strings Bounce

  • Force of gravity higher than elastic force.
  • Eventually it reaches an equilibrium force
  • It slows down
  • The force upwards makes it go upwards
  • Eventually it bounces too high
  • Gravity pulls it back down And the cycle repeats. Its a back and forth of elastic and gravitational energy

Equilibrium Point

Elasticity Coefficient (From Gizmo Lab)

If elasticity = 0, then 2 colliding objects have the same final velocity If elasticity < 1, then some energy is lost due to heat or sound. If elasticity = 1, then no energy is lost