Chip Clip (Spring)

This chip clip contains a torsion spring which, when compressed, stores potential energy. Part of this energy is changed into kinetic energy when the handles (attached to the lever) are released, and this moves the clamps towards the object between them. When not compressed, however, there is still some potential energy in the spring, which it tries to get rid of by moving the ends closer together. This is why it holds onto things and keeps them together (e.g. the torn open ends of a bag of chips.)

5th floor Jester East, University of Texas at Austin

by Brandon Kerbow