mozgatórugó

A mozgatórugó, in physics, refers to the potential energy stored in a spring or elastic material that can be converted into kinetic energy when the object is released. This stored energy arises from the deformation of the spring, such as stretching or compressing it from its equilibrium position. The amount of energy stored is directly related to the spring's stiffness and the extent of its displacement.

The relationship between the force applied to a spring and its displacement is described by Hooke's Law, which states that the force is proportional to the displacement. Mathematically, this is often expressed as F = -kx, where F is the restoring force, k is the spring constant (a measure of stiffness), and x is the displacement from equilibrium. The potential energy stored in the spring, also known as elastic potential energy, is given by the formula PE = (1/2)kx², where PE is the potential energy.

When a deformed spring is allowed to return to its original shape, this stored potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, causing the object attached to the spring or the spring itself to move. This principle is fundamental to the operation of many mechanical devices, including clocks, toys, and various types of engines and mechanisms. The concept of mozgatórugó highlights the conversion between potential and kinetic energy within a system.