A spring with spring constant 380 N/m has a force of 37 Newtons applied to it (stretching it). How much does the spring stretch?​

you have to ask from your teacher

This elastic potential energy calculator makes it easy to determine the potential energy of a spring when stretched or compressed. Read on to get a better understanding of this concept, including an elastic potential energy definition and an example of calculations. Make sure to check out our gravitational potential energy calculator, too!

Elastic potential energy definition

Imagine a simple helical spring. You can compress or stretch it (to some extent, of course). To do it, though, you need to perform some work - or, in other words, to provide it with some energy. This energy is then stored in the spring and released when it comes back to its equilibrium state (the initial shape and length). Remember that the elastic potential energy is always positive.

Why exactly is this called 'potential energy'? You can think of it like this: the spring doesn't spend the energy at once (in contrary to kinetic energy), but has the potential to do so.

Don't forget that you cannot compress or stretch a spring to infinity and expect it to return to its original shape. After you reach its elasticity limit, it will get deformed permanently.