Practise Edexcel A-Level Physics elastic strain energy through force-extension areas, 1/2Fx calculations, hysteresis loops, bungee ropes and stored-energy comparisons.
A steel object is held by an electromagnet. The magnetic force prevents the steel object falling.
The electromagnet is suspended from a support by a steel cable, as shown.
The force-extension graph for the steel cable is shown below.
When the electromagnet is switched off, the steel object falls.
A student states that "the change in elastic strain energy stored in the cable will be transferred to the gravitational potential energy of the electromagnet".
Discuss the student's statement. You should add to the force-extension graph as part of your discussion.
