Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
An aluminium wire () and a rubber cord () are each under a stress of . Find the elastic energy in each cubic metre of each, and the ratio. Which stores more?
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. Aluminium. .
Step 2. Rubber. .
Step 3. Ratio. .
Answer: Rubber stores times as much at the same stress.
Check. Rubber stretches far more for the same stress, and energy is stress times stretch.
Watch out. At the same strain it would be the other way round.
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