Elastic potential energy - Revision history

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energy>Jmdonev at 22:31, 30 July 2026

2026-07-30T22:31:54Z

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	[[Category:Done ~~2021~~-10-29]]		[[Category:Done 2026-08-01]]
	[[Category: Translated to French]]		[[Category: Translated to French]]
	[[fr:Énergie potentielle élastique]]		[[fr:Énergie potentielle élastique]]
	[[File:Mxcpcrossbow-elastic-potential.gif\|200px\|framed\|Figure 1. Elastic potential energy stored by a spring.<ref>Wilson, Tracy. (2014, Aug. 14). ''How Crossbows Work'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow2.htm</ref>]]		[[File:Mxcpcrossbow-elastic-potential.gif\|200px\|framed\|Figure 1. Elastic potential energy stored by a spring.<ref>Wilson, Tracy. (2014, Aug. 14). ''How Crossbows Work'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow2.htm</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>[[Elastic potential energy]] is the [[potential energy]] stored by the deformation of an elastic ~~material~~, such as a spring seen in Figure 1.</onlyinclude><ref name=Book1>Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E. M., ''Theory of Elasticity,'' 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth Heinemann, 1986, Ch. 2.</ref>		<onlyinclude>[[Elastic potential energy]] is the [[potential energy]] stored by the deformation of a material that changes back to its original shape (elastic materials), such as a spring seen in Figure 1.</onlyinclude><ref name=Book1>Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E. M., ''Theory of Elasticity,'' 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth Heinemann, 1986, Ch. 2.</ref>

	== Background ==		== Background ==
	The ability to transfer energy to this form depends on a material's [[elasticity]]. The [[energy]] stored in a spring depends on the:		The ability to transfer energy out of this form depends on a material's [[elasticity]]. The [[energy]] stored in a spring depends on the:
	*Distance the spring is deformed (stretched or compressed.)		*Distance the spring is deformed (stretched or compressed.)
	*Spring constant. This constant is the amount of [[force]] required to stretch or compress a spring by one meter.<ref name=Knight>R. D. Knight, "Springs," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 281-284.</ref>		*Spring constant. This constant is the amount of [[force]] required to stretch or compress a spring by one meter.<ref name=Knight>R. D. Knight, "Springs," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 281-284.</ref>

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2021-12-20T19:47:16Z

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energy>Jmdonev at 23:44, 9 November 2021

2021-11-09T23:44:35Z

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	[[fr:Énergie potentielle élastique]]		[[fr:Énergie potentielle élastique]]

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2021-09-27T00:02:59Z

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energy>Ethan.boechler at 19:29, 10 September 2021

2021-09-10T19:29:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:29, 10 September 2021
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	[[Category:Done ~~2018~~-12-10]]		[[Category:Done 2020-05-30]]
			[[Category: Translated to French]]
			[[fr:Énergie potentielle élastique]]
	[[File:Mxcpcrossbow-elastic-potential.gif\|200px\|framed\|Figure 1. Elastic potential energy stored by a spring.<ref>Wilson, Tracy. (2014, Aug. 14). ''How Crossbows Work'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow2.htm</ref>]]		[[File:Mxcpcrossbow-elastic-potential.gif\|200px\|framed\|Figure 1. Elastic potential energy stored by a spring.<ref>Wilson, Tracy. (2014, Aug. 14). ''How Crossbows Work'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow2.htm</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>~~The~~ [[potential energy]] ~~stored in a spring (or any similar object)~~ is ~~known as~~ the [[~~elastic~~ potential energy]]~~. It is~~ stored by the deformation of an elastic material such as ~~the~~ spring seen in Figure 1.</onlyinclude><ref name=Book1>Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E. M., ''Theory of Elasticity,'' 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth Heinemann, 1986, Ch. 2.</ref>		<onlyinclude>[[Elastic potential energy]] is the [[potential energy]] stored by the deformation of an elastic material, such as a spring seen in Figure 1.</onlyinclude><ref name=Book1>Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E. M., ''Theory of Elasticity,'' 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth Heinemann, 1986, Ch. 2.</ref>

	== Background ==		== Background ==
	The ability to ~~get~~ energy ~~out~~ depends on ~~the~~ material's [[elasticity]]. The [[energy]] stored in a spring depends on the:		The ability to transfer energy to this form depends on a material's [[elasticity]]. The [[energy]] stored in a spring depends on the:
	*Distance the spring is deformed (stretched or compressed)		*Distance the spring is deformed (stretched or compressed.)
	*~~The spring~~ constant~~, which defines~~ the amount of [[force]] required to ~~deform~~ a spring by ~~a certain length (the [[work]] done on the spring)~~.<ref name=Knight>R. D. Knight, "Springs," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 281-284.</ref>		*Spring constant. This constant is the amount of [[force]] required to stretch or compress a spring by one meter.<ref name=Knight>R. D. Knight, "Springs," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 281-284.</ref>

	Elastic potential energy is given by the equation:<ref name="Knight"/>		Elastic potential energy is given by the equation:<ref name="Knight"/>

	• <math> E_{elastic}= \frac{1}{2}{k}{x^2}</math> where,		<math>E_{elastic}= \frac{1}{2}{k}{x^2}</math> where

	• <math> E_{elastic}</math>: elastic potential energy ([[Energy\|Joules]], J)		• <math>E_{elastic}</math>: elastic potential energy ([[Energy\|Joules]], J)

	• <math> k </math>: ~~elastic (~~spring) constant ([[Force\|Newtons]] per meter, N/m)		• <math>k</math>: spring constant ([[Force\|Newtons]] per meter, N/m)

	• <math> x </math>: distance ~~of stretching~~ ([[meter]]s, m)		• <math>x</math>: distance from original (equilibrium) position ([[meter]]s, m)

	The elastic properties of a spring ~~depends~~ on both shape and the material of the spring. Therefore, the ~~elastic~~ constant is different for every object. ~~Elastic potential energy increases with the constant of the spring and with the distance stretched.<ref name=Book1/>~~		The elastic properties of a spring depend on both the shape and the material of the spring. Therefore, the spring constant is different for every object.

	== Application ==		== Application ==
	~~A spring is used to store elastic potential energy in many mechanical devices (like the shock absorbers in cars). This energy can be used in many ways since the~~ spring can remain in ~~its~~ compressed or stretched state for extended periods ~~of time~~ without dissipating energy.<ref name="Knight"/>		Because a spring can remain in a compressed or stretched state for extended periods without dissipating energy, elastic potential energy is fundamental to many mechanical devices,<ref name="Knight"/> such as shock absorbers in cars.

	~~Spring~~ potential can also be utilized in control ~~systems~~ or mechanical systems to reduce the impact of disturbance, such as in motor vehicles. In vehicles, ~~the~~ shock absorbers ~~are aiming~~ to reduce impact on ~~the~~ passengers by absorbing ~~the energy~~ caused by driving on bumpy roads. Another use of ~~spring~~ potential in vehicles is in [[Regenerative braking\|regenerative braking systems]], where ~~the~~ stored energy is used to give the vehicle a small power boost.		This potential can also be utilized in control or mechanical systems to reduce the impact of disturbance, such as in motor vehicles. In vehicles, shock absorbers aim to reduce the impact on passengers by absorbing [[force]]s caused by driving on bumpy roads. Another use of elastic potential energy in vehicles is in [[Regenerative braking\|regenerative braking systems]], where stored energy is used to give the vehicle a small power boost.

	==Elastic vs. plastic deformation==		==Elastic vs. plastic deformation==
	~~Changing~~ the shape of ~~a system uses energy. If the energy comes back out~~ when ~~the~~ pressures and forces are released~~, that deformation is called ''elastic deformation''~~. For example, when you pull a spring ~~(using energy)~~ the spring will ~~bounce~~ when released (energy ~~comes back out~~). This is what allows ~~these~~ objects to have ''elastic potential energy''.		''Elastic deformation'' is a type of deformation that occurs when the energy used to change the shape of an object is equally output when pressures and forces are released. For example, when you pull a spring, the spring will return to its original shape when released (energy input equals energy output.) This is what allows objects to have ''elastic potential energy''.

	Plastic deformation is the energy ~~that~~ is ~~put into the system that doesn't come back out; for~~ example, when two cars collide, much of their energy ~~goes~~ into ~~changing~~ the shape of the cars.<ref>R. D. Knight, "Inelastic collisions," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 284-287.</ref>		Plastic deformation is the type of deformation that occurs when the energy used to deform an object is not equal to energy output. The object does not return to its original shape. For example, when two cars collide, much of their [[kinetic energy]] is transferred into new forms and is used to permanently change the shape of the cars.<ref>R. D. Knight, "Inelastic collisions," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 284-287.</ref>

	Plasticity means that when something is stretched, it stays stretched. When an object stays stretched (or bent), that process is called ''plastic deformation''. When the material goes back to its original form, ~~that's~~ ''elastic deformation''.<ref name=Hawkes>Hawkes et al, "Deformation and Elasticity," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'' 1st ed. Toronto: Cengage, 2014, pp. 265-268.</ref>		Plasticity means that when something is stretched, it stays stretched. When an object stays stretched (or bent), that process is called ''plastic deformation''. When the material goes back to its original form, ''elastic deformation'' has occurred.<ref name=Hawkes>Hawkes et al, "Deformation and Elasticity," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'' 1st ed. Toronto: Cengage, 2014, pp. 265-268.</ref>

	All springs have some plastic deformation~~, so some~~ energy is ''always'' ~~lost~~. Plastic deformation causes the [[atom]]s to speed up ~~in the spring~~, raising the [[temperature]] of the material (similar to, but different from [[friction]])~~, which~~ is why the hoods of cars are quite hot after a car accident. Elastic potential energy ~~is the energy that comes back out~~, so ~~that doesn't~~ increase the temperature.		All springs have some degree of plastic deformation. Some energy is ''always'' transferred to new forms, such as [[thermal energy]]. Plastic deformation causes the [[atom]]s in the spring to speed up, raising the [[temperature]] of the material (similar to, but different from [[friction]].) This is why the hoods of cars are quite hot after a car accident. Elastic potential energy does not transfer into new forms, so it does not increase the temperature.

	==Phet Simulation==		==Phet Simulation==
	The [http://phet.colorado.edu/ University of Colorado] has graciously allowed us to use the following Phet simulation. Explore this simulation to see how gravitational potential energy ~~and~~ elastic potential energy ~~go back~~ and ~~forth and create a changing amount of~~ kinetic energy:		The [http://phet.colorado.edu/ University of Colorado] has graciously allowed us to use the following Phet simulation. Explore this simulation to see how gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and kinetic energy are related in elastic systems.

	<html>		<html>
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	== ~~Reference~~ ==		== References ==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2019-01-04T18:15:21Z

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2dev>Jmdonev at 17:32, 19 November 2018

2018-11-19T17:32:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:32, 19 November 2018
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	[[Category:Done 2018-05-18]]		[[Category:Done 2018-12-10]]
	[[File:Mxcpcrossbow-elastic-potential.gif\|200px\|framed\|Figure 1. Elastic potential energy stored by a spring.<ref>Wilson, Tracy. (2014, Aug. 14). ''How Crossbows Work'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow2.htm</ref>]]		[[File:Mxcpcrossbow-elastic-potential.gif\|200px\|framed\|Figure 1. Elastic potential energy stored by a spring.<ref>Wilson, Tracy. (2014, Aug. 14). ''How Crossbows Work'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow2.htm</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>The [[~~Potential~~ energy]] stored in a spring (or any similar object) is known as the [[elastic potential energy]]. It is stored by the deformation of an elastic material such as the spring seen in Figure 1.</onlyinclude><ref name=Book1>Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E. M., ''Theory of Elasticity,'' 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth Heinemann, 1986, Ch. 2.</ref>		<onlyinclude>The [[potential energy]] stored in a spring (or any similar object) is known as the [[elastic potential energy]]. It is stored by the deformation of an elastic material such as the spring seen in Figure 1.</onlyinclude><ref name=Book1>Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E. M., ''Theory of Elasticity,'' 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth Heinemann, 1986, Ch. 2.</ref>

	== Background ==		== Background ==
	The [[energy]] stored in a spring depends on the ~~distance~~ the spring is deformed (stretched or compressed) ~~and the~~ spring constant, which defines the amount of [[force]] required to deform a spring by a certain length (the [[work]] done on the spring).<ref name=Knight>R. D. Knight, "Springs," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 281-284.</ref> ~~The ability to get energy out depends on the material's [[elasticity]].~~		The ability to get energy out depends on the material's [[elasticity]]. The [[energy]] stored in a spring depends on the:
			*Distance the spring is deformed (stretched or compressed)
			*The spring constant, which defines the amount of [[force]] required to deform a spring by a certain length (the [[work]] done on the spring).<ref name=Knight>R. D. Knight, "Springs," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 281-284.</ref>

	Elastic potential energy is given by the equation:<ref name="Knight"/>		Elastic potential energy is given by the equation:<ref name="Knight"/>
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	==Elastic vs. plastic deformation==		==Elastic vs. plastic deformation==
	Changing the shape of a system ~~takes~~ energy. If the energy comes back out when the pressures and forces are released, that deformation is called elastic deformation (~~and makes~~ elastic potential energy). Plastic deformation is the energy that is put into the system that doesn't come back out; for example, when two cars collide, much of their energy goes into changing the shape of the cars.<ref>R. D. Knight, "Inelastic collisions," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 284-287.</ref>		Changing the shape of a system uses energy. If the energy comes back out when the pressures and forces are released, that deformation is called ''elastic deformation''. For example, when you pull a spring (using energy) the spring will bounce when released (energy comes back out). This is what allows these objects to have ''elastic potential energy''.

			Plastic deformation is the energy that is put into the system that doesn't come back out; for example, when two cars collide, much of their energy goes into changing the shape of the cars.<ref>R. D. Knight, "Inelastic collisions," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 284-287.</ref>

	Plasticity means that when something is stretched, it stays stretched. When an object stays stretched (or bent), that process is called ''plastic deformation''. When the material goes back to its original form, that's ''elastic deformation''.<ref name=Hawkes>Hawkes et al, "Deformation and Elasticity," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'' 1st ed. Toronto: Cengage, 2014, pp. 265-268.</ref>		Plasticity means that when something is stretched, it stays stretched. When an object stays stretched (or bent), that process is called ''plastic deformation''. When the material goes back to its original form, that's ''elastic deformation''.<ref name=Hawkes>Hawkes et al, "Deformation and Elasticity," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'' 1st ed. Toronto: Cengage, 2014, pp. 265-268.</ref>

	All springs have some plastic deformation, so some energy is always lost. Plastic deformation causes the [[atom]]s to speed up in the spring, raising the [[temperature]] of the material (similar to, but different from [[friction]]), which is why the hoods of cars are quite hot after a car accident. Elastic potential energy is the energy that comes back out, so that doesn't increase the temperature.		All springs have some plastic deformation, so some energy is ''always'' lost. Plastic deformation causes the [[atom]]s to speed up in the spring, raising the [[temperature]] of the material (similar to, but different from [[friction]]), which is why the hoods of cars are quite hot after a car accident. Elastic potential energy is the energy that comes back out, so that doesn't increase the temperature.

			==Phet Simulation==
			The [http://phet.colorado.edu/ University of Colorado] has graciously allowed us to use the following Phet simulation. Explore this simulation to see how gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy go back and forth and create a changing amount of kinetic energy:

			<html>
			<iframe src="https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/masses-and-springs/latest/masses-and-springs_en.html" width="800" height="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen></iframe>
			</html>

			== For Further Reading ==
			For further information please see the related pages below:
			*[[Elasticity vs plasticity]]
			*[[Mechanical energy]]
			*[[Kinetic energy]]
			*[[Potential energy]]
			*[[Force]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]
			*One can also visit [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pespr.html hyperphysics].

	~~To learn more about elastic potential energy, please see [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pespr.html hyperphysics].~~

	== Reference ==		== Reference ==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-05-18T22:53:06Z

1 revision imported

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Jmdonev at 18:59, 11 May 2018

2018-05-11T18:59:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:59, 11 May 2018
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	[[Category:Done ~~2016~~-04-30]]		[[Category:Done 2018-05-18]]
	[[File:Mxcpcrossbow-elastic-potential.gif\|200px\|framed\|Figure 1. Elastic potential energy stored by a spring.<ref>Wilson, Tracy. (2014, Aug. 14). ''How Crossbows Work'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow2.htm</ref>]]		[[File:Mxcpcrossbow-elastic-potential.gif\|200px\|framed\|Figure 1. Elastic potential energy stored by a spring.<ref>Wilson, Tracy. (2014, Aug. 14). ''How Crossbows Work'' [Online]. Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow2.htm</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>The [[Potential energy]] stored in a spring (or any similar object) is known as the [[elastic potential energy]]. It is stored by the deformation of an elastic material such as the spring in Figure 1.</onlyinclude><ref name=Book1>Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E. M., ''Theory of Elasticity,'' 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth Heinemann, 1986, Ch. 2.</ref>		<onlyinclude>The [[Potential energy]] stored in a spring (or any similar object) is known as the [[elastic potential energy]]. It is stored by the deformation of an elastic material such as the spring seen in Figure 1.</onlyinclude><ref name=Book1>Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E. M., ''Theory of Elasticity,'' 3rd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth Heinemann, 1986, Ch. 2.</ref>

	== Background ==		== Background ==
	The [[energy]] stored in a spring depends on the distance the spring is deformed (stretched or compressed) and the spring constant, which defines the amount of force required to deform a spring by a certain length (the [[work]] done on the spring).<ref name=Knight>R. D. Knight, "Springs," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 281-284.</ref> The ability to get energy out depends on the material's [[elasticity]].		The [[energy]] stored in a spring depends on the distance the spring is deformed (stretched or compressed) and the spring constant, which defines the amount of [[force]] required to deform a spring by a certain length (the [[work]] done on the spring).<ref name=Knight>R. D. Knight, "Springs," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 281-284.</ref> The ability to get energy out depends on the material's [[elasticity]].

	Elastic potential energy is given by the equation:<ref name="Knight"/>		Elastic potential energy is given by the equation:<ref name="Knight"/>

	• <m> E_{elastic}= \frac{1}{2}{k}{x^2}</m> where,		• <math> E_{elastic}= \frac{1}{2}{k}{x^2}</math> where,

	• <m> E_{elastic}</m>: elastic potential energy ([[Energy\|Joules]], J)		• <math> E_{elastic}</math>: elastic potential energy ([[Energy\|Joules]], J)

	• <m> k </m>: elastic constant ([[Force\|Newtons]] per meter, N/m)		• <math> k </math>: elastic (spring) constant ([[Force\|Newtons]] per meter, N/m)

	• <m> x </m>: distance of stretching ([[meter]]s, m)		• <math> x </math>: distance of stretching ([[meter]]s, m)

	The elastic properties of a spring depends on both shape and the material of the spring. Therefore, the elastic constant is different for every object. Elastic potential energy increases with the constant of the spring and with the distance stretched.<ref name=Book1/>		The elastic properties of a spring depends on both shape and the material of the spring. Therefore, the elastic constant is different for every object. Elastic potential energy increases with the constant of the spring and with the distance stretched.<ref name=Book1/>
Line 21:		Line 21:
	A spring is used to store elastic potential energy in many mechanical devices (like the shock absorbers in cars). This energy can be used in many ways since the spring can remain in its compressed or stretched state for extended periods of time without dissipating energy.<ref name="Knight"/>		A spring is used to store elastic potential energy in many mechanical devices (like the shock absorbers in cars). This energy can be used in many ways since the spring can remain in its compressed or stretched state for extended periods of time without dissipating energy.<ref name="Knight"/>

	Spring potential can also be utilized in control systems or mechanical systems to reduce the impact of disturbance, such as in motor vehicles. In vehicles, the shock absorbers are ~~springs that absorb~~ the ~~energy created~~ by ~~hitting bumps in the road, preventing~~ the energy ~~from disrupting the passenger compartment of the vehicle~~. Another use of spring potential in vehicles is in [[Regenerative braking\|regenerative braking systems]], where the stored energy is used to give the vehicle a small power boost.		Spring potential can also be utilized in control systems or mechanical systems to reduce the impact of disturbance, such as in motor vehicles. In vehicles, the shock absorbers are aiming to reduce impact on the passengers by absorbing the energy caused by driving on bumpy roads. Another use of spring potential in vehicles is in [[Regenerative braking\|regenerative braking systems]], where the stored energy is used to give the vehicle a small power boost.

	==Elastic vs. plastic deformation==		==Elastic vs. plastic deformation==
	Changing the shape of a system takes energy. If the energy comes back out when the pressures and forces are released, that deformation is called elastic deformation (and makes elastic potential energy). Plastic deformation is the energy that is put into the system that doesn't come back out; for example, when two cars collide, much of their energy goes into changing the shape of the cars.<ref>R. D. Knight, "Inelastic collisions," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 284-287.</ref>		Changing the shape of a system takes energy. If the energy comes back out when the pressures and forces are released, that deformation is called elastic deformation (and makes elastic potential energy). Plastic deformation is the energy that is put into the system that doesn't come back out; for example, when two cars collide, much of their energy goes into changing the shape of the cars.<ref>R. D. Knight, "Inelastic collisions," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach,'' 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2008, pp. 284-287.</ref>

	Plasticity means that when something is stretched, it stays stretched. When an object stays stretched (or bent), that process is called plastic deformation. When the material goes back to its original form, that's elastic deformation.<ref name=Hawkes>Hawkes et al, "Deformation and Elasticity," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'' 1st ed. Toronto: Cengage, 2014, pp. 265-268.</ref>		Plasticity means that when something is stretched, it stays stretched. When an object stays stretched (or bent), that process is called ''plastic deformation''. When the material goes back to its original form, that's ''elastic deformation''.<ref name=Hawkes>Hawkes et al, "Deformation and Elasticity," in ''Physics for Scientists and Engineers'' 1st ed. Toronto: Cengage, 2014, pp. 265-268.</ref>

	All springs have some plastic deformation, so some energy is always lost. Plastic deformation causes the [[atom]]s to speed up in the spring, raising the [[temperature]] of the material (similar to, but different from [[friction]]), which is why the hoods of cars are quite hot after a car accident. Elastic potential energy is the energy that comes back out, so that doesn't increase the temperature.		All springs have some plastic deformation, so some energy is always lost. Plastic deformation causes the [[atom]]s to speed up in the spring, raising the [[temperature]] of the material (similar to, but different from [[friction]]), which is why the hoods of cars are quite hot after a car accident. Elastic potential energy is the energy that comes back out, so that doesn't increase the temperature.