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If the 200 grams is then stretched a distance x from the new
equilibrium point, the potential energy relative to the new
equilibrium point is equal to 1/2 kx^2. What do you call
the quantity 1/2 kx^2? The difference in the elastic-
gravitational potential energy?
I generally call it the total PE. Of course that assumes there are no
other potential energies of interest.
A favorite Mazur question of mine is:
"An object hangs motionless from a spring. When the object is pulled
down, the sum of the elastic PE of the spring and the gravitational
PE of the object and Earth:
1. increases
2. stays the same
3. decreases."