Elastic Potential Energy Calculator

Use U = ½kx² and F = kx with an explicit ideal Hooke-law model.

Spring constant k (N/m)

Displacement x

—U = ½kx²

—|F| = k|x|

—Spring constant

—Displacement

—Energy in mJ

Ideal linear Hooke-law model only. Real springs can become nonlinear or permanently deform outside their elastic range.

Physics model preflight

Check the governing model before trusting the number

ideal linear spring

U = ½kx² · |F| = k|x|

Reading the current native inputs…

Ideal linear Hooke-law spring; k must be positive. Energy is independent of displacement sign. This is an idealized educational model: unit consistency and valid inputs do not guarantee that omitted effects are negligible in a real system.

State the model before trusting the number

Classical formulas are only as good as their assumptions and units. Air resistance, damping, deformation, non-constant forces and measurement uncertainty are not silently invented when the selected model does not include them.

Governing physics model

U = ½kx² · |F| = k|x| — ideal linear spring.

How to verify the result

Changing displacement from +x to −x should keep ½kx² unchanged, while doubling |x| should quadruple stored energy.

Domain and assumption boundary

Ideal linear Hooke-law spring; k must be positive. Energy is independent of displacement sign. The calculator does not silently add drag, damping, deformation, varying fields, relativistic effects, measurement uncertainty, or geometry that the selected model does not contain.