The potential energy of a spring `…………….` when it is compressed .

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the potential energy of a spring when it is compressed, we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Potential Energy in Springs
The potential energy (PE) stored in a spring is given by the formula:
\[ PE = \frac{1}{2} k x^2 \]
where:
- \( k \) is the spring constant (a measure of the stiffness of the spring),
- \( x \) is the displacement from the spring's natural (unstressed) length.
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