What is difference between potential energy and strain energy?

Answer 1

Think of a cylindrical steel bar with cross section area A.

If you hold it by both ends and pull them apart with

a force F, the bar is been subject to a Tensile Stress

T, such that, T = F/A (units of newton/m2)

If the forces had been in the opposite direction they

would have produced a Compression Stress.

Now, suppose that the bar's original length is L, and

because of the Tensile Stress that she has been put

through it elongates dL meters. Then the StrainST

the bar has suffer is: ST = L/dL (dimensionless)

And so Strain is the deformation fraction the body

experiments as a response to a given Stress.

Answer 2

When you say an object has a certain amount of potential energy it means relative to where the potential energy is zero. When you say the change in an objects potential energy it might mean change from where it was zero or it might mean change from where it was some non zero value. So technically they both mean change but in the first case ,"change from zero" is understood and not explicitly stated.

Answer 3

Potential Energy:

Energy stored in a body due to its position is called Potential Energy.

P.E = mass x acceleration due to gravity x height

Strain Energy:

Energy stored in a body due to deformation is called Strain Energy.

S.E = stress x strain / 2 x volume. (for uniaxial loading).

Answer 4

yes