When an object is subjected to elastic potential energy, what changes occur?

When an object is subjected to elastic potential energy, what changes occur?

• A. The object's shape changes but not its energy content
• B. The object's energy remains constant throughout its deformation
• C. The object's shape changes, storing energy to return to its original shape
• D. The object's mass increases while energy decreases

Answer: (C)

When an object is subjected to elastic potential energy, it undergoes deformation where its shape changes due to the applied force. This deformation is typically within the material's elastic limit, meaning the object will return to its original shape when the force is removed. During this process, energy is stored in the form of elastic potential energy, which represents the work done on the object when it is deformed, such as when stretching a spring or compressing a rubber band. The stored elastic potential energy allows the object to exert a restoring force that will return it to its original shape. This behavior is foundational in understanding how materials behave under stress and strain, and it highlights the connection between mechanical work and energy storage in physical systems. The energy is not lost but rather transformed and stored as elastic potential energy until the object is released. This understanding is essential in various applications, from engineering to material science, where the behavior of materials under elastic deformation must be considered. The other choices do not accurately represent the nature of elastic potential energy and the associated phenomena, as they either misinterpret the nature of energy changes or imply incorrect physical characteristics related to the object's mass.

When an object is subjected to elastic potential energy, it undergoes deformation where its shape changes due to the applied force. This deformation is typically within the material's elastic limit, meaning the object will return to its original shape when the force is removed. During this process, energy is stored in the form of elastic potential energy, which represents the work done on the object when it is deformed, such as when stretching a spring or compressing a rubber band.

The stored elastic potential energy allows the object to exert a restoring force that will return it to its original shape. This behavior is foundational in understanding how materials behave under stress and strain, and it highlights the connection between mechanical work and energy storage in physical systems. The energy is not lost but rather transformed and stored as elastic potential energy until the object is released.

This understanding is essential in various applications, from engineering to material science, where the behavior of materials under elastic deformation must be considered. The other choices do not accurately represent the nature of elastic potential energy and the associated phenomena, as they either misinterpret the nature of energy changes or imply incorrect physical characteristics related to the object's mass.