Question

In an experiment involving the spiral spring, F is the restoring force and x the extension of the spring. The equation F = - kx gives the relationship between F and x. What does k measure in the experiment?

Answer 1

Answer on Question #41044, Physics, Mechanics

Question:

In an experiment involving the spiral spring, F is the restoring force and x the extension of the spring. The equation $F = -kx$ gives the relationship between F and x. What does k measure in the experiment?

Answer:

Hooke's law is a principle of physics that states that the force $F$ needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance $x$ is proportional to that distance and is opposite to displacement:

$$F = -kx$$

where $k$ is spring constant also known as force constant is a measure of the elasticity of the spring. The higher its value, the more the force you will need to exert to extend the spring. Numerically it equals force needed to change length of spring into one unit.