In physics, strain energy is the energy stored by a system undergoing deformation. When the load is removed, strain energy is:
where σ is stress, ε is strain, V is volume, and E is Young's modulus:
Molecular Strain
In a molecule, strain energy is released when the constituent atoms are allowed to rearrange themselves in a chemical reaction. The external work done on an elastic member in causing it to distort from its unstressed state is transformed into strain energy which is a form of potential energy. The strain energy in the form of elastic deformation is mostly recoverable in the form of mechanical work.
For example, the heat of combustion of cyclopropane (696 kJ/mol) is higher than that of propane (657 kJ/mol) for each additional CH2 unit. Compounds with unusually large strain energy include tetrahedranes, propellanes, cubane-type clusters, fenestranes and cyclophanes.