An extended spring stores

An extended spring stores potential energy due to its displacement from the equilibrium position. When a spring is stretched or compressed, it accumulates energy that can be released when the force is removed. This stored energy is described by Hooke's Law, which states that the force exerted by the spring is proportional to its displacement. The potential energy stored in the spring can be calculated using the formula ( PE = \frac{1}{2} k x^2 ), where ( k ) is the spring constant and ( x ) is the displacement.