What type of energy is stored in a stretched spring?

The energy stored in a stretched spring is known as potential energy. This type of energy is associated with the position of an object in a force field, in this case, the elastic force exerted by the spring when it is deformed. When a spring is stretched, work is done on it, and this work is stored as potential energy, which can be released when the spring returns to its original shape.

In the context of a spring, this energy can be mathematically described using Hooke's Law, which states that the force required to stretch or compress a spring is proportional to the displacement from its rest position. The potential energy can be calculated as (1/2)kx², where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement from its equilibrium position. This potential energy is what allows the spring to do work as it returns to its resting state, such as propelling an object or absorbing impact.

The other types of energy listed, such as entropic energy, caloric energy, and kinetic energy, do not apply to the scenario of a stretched spring. Entropic energy refers to the disorder or randomness in a system, caloric energy is an outdated concept related to heat, and kinetic energy is the energy of motion, not