Hooke's Law Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What is the equation linking the force on a spring, the spring constant and the extension (with units)?

$F = k \times x$ — force in N, spring constant in N/m, extension in m.

What is a linear relationship between force and extension?

Force is directly proportional to extension, so the force–extension graph is a straight line through the origin.

True or false? A curved force–extension graph shows a non-linear relationship between force and extension.

True. In a non-linear relationship equal increases in force do not give equal increases in extension, so the graph is not a straight line.

What is the limit of proportionality of a spring?

The point where the force–extension graph starts to curve. Beyond it, extension is no longer proportional to force and $F = k \times x$ no longer applies.