When Maurice pulls on the end of a spring scale and then lets go, the spring snaps back into its original shape. This behavior is due to a particular type of force acting on the spring. Let's break this down step-by-step to understand what happens:
1. Pulling the Spring: When Maurice pulls on the spring, he stretches it, causing it to deform from its original, resting shape. This deformation stores potential energy in the spring.
2. Releasing the Spring: As soon as Maurice releases the end, the stored potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the spring to move back toward its original shape.
3. Restorative Force: The force that causes the spring to return to its original shape is known as the "restorative force." This force is an intrinsic property of the spring material itself.
4. Elastic Force: Specifically, for springs and other elastic materials, the restorative force is known as the "elastic force." This force arises because the material tends to return to its equilibrium position, exerting a force opposing the deformation.
5. Conclusion: Therefore, the force that restores the spring back to its original shape after Maurice lets go is the elastic force.
So, the correct answer is that the elastic force restores the spring back to its original shape.
