A system that consists of a single spring stores a total elastic potential energy E_p when a load is added to the spring. Another identical spring connected in parallel is added to the system. The same load is now applied to the parallel springs.

What is the total elastic potential energy stored in the changed system?

A. E_p

B. \(\frac{{{E_p}}}{2}\)

C. \(\frac{{{E_p}}}{4}\)

D. \(\frac{{{E_p}}}{8}\)

B