A material is said to be elastic if it returns to its original shape after being deformed. Elastic energy is energy contained by an object as a result of deforming it from its relaxed position. A rubber band used to hold a stack of papers together and a trampoline are elastic. Deforming something requires application of a force. A person pulls on a rubber band to stretch it; a gymnast pushes down on a springy trampoline to deform it. The act of doing work to deform an elastic material produces elastic energy in the material. This elastic energy can then be used to do work as the deformed material returns to its original shape.

Springs made from coils of wire are used to store elastic energy which is a form of potential energy. The most common type of spring is cylindrically shaped, with coils evenly spaced...