# A bungee rope is used to store elastic potential energy during a jump. Explain how the energy stored in the bungee rope depends on whether the rope deforms elastically or plastically.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.5.3 Forces and elasticity · Explain · 4 marks

> A bungee jumper falls and the bungee rope stretches. After the jump, the rope is inspected and found to have a permanent increase in length.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Elastic deformation means the rope returns to its original shape/length when the force is removed
2. The work done on the rope equals the elastic potential energy stored, provided the rope deforms elastically (does not exceed the elastic limit)
3. Plastic deformation means the rope does not return to its original shape/length when the force is removed / the deformation is permanent
4. If the rope deforms plastically, not all the elastic potential energy is recovered / some energy is transferred to other forms (e.g. thermal), so less energy is returned to the jumper

## Key terms

- [elastic potential energy](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/elastic-potential-energy)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-bungee-rope-is-used-to-8d5057b3) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.