Chapter 11, Problem 39A

To determine

To Explain: The sport of pole-vaulting was drastically changed when the stiff, wooden poles were replaced by flexible fiberglass poles.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Elastic potential energy is the mechanical potential energy which exists when elastic bodies are deformedtemporarily. It is result of applying force to deform the object.

Wooden poles do not carry any energy with it while running before jump.

Flexible fiberglass poles are easy to bend and it stores elastic potential energy with it while running and convert into kinetic energy before jump.

Conclusion:

Wooden poles are replaced by flexible fiber glass poles since they are more elastic than wooden poles.