Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A force rising steadily from zero to stretches a wire by . Find the work done. The force is then raised to , and the stretch becomes . Find the extra work done in this second stage.
Elastic energy: . Per unit volume, .
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. First stage. .
Step 2. Total. .
Step 3. Extra. .
Answer: , then more.
Check. The second stage is the trapezium between and : .
Watch out. Doubling the stretch quadruples the stored energy, so the second stage costs three times the first.
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