Why is x squared in the elastic potential energy formula? and how is it different from hooke's law?

Hooke's law doesn't deal with the potential energy stored
in the spring.  It only says that the distance you compress
or stretch a spring is proportional to the force applied to it.

The energy in the spring is the next step.  It's the work you
put into stretching it or compressing it.  Here ... look at this.
I think I can actually show it to you:

                      Work = (force) · (spring distance)

But               Force =  [ k · (spring distance) ]            (Hooke's law)

So                 Work =  [ k · (spring distance) ] · (spring distance) .

And there, Miss Moon, is where the x² comes from.

This is the most productive thing I've done
all day.  I am so proud of myself.
        

It won't lose or gain electrons if it's a covalent bond it shares the electrons with another atom or atoms. if it is an ionic bond it will lose the 3 electrons on the outer shell and become a positively charged ion.  credit goes to @sunshinebaby of answers.yahoo.com.

Which principle states: "geologic processes taking place on earth today operated similarly in the past and can be used to explain past geologic events"? a. lateral continuity