Hooke's Law Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What is the equation linking force, spring constant and extension, with units?

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

True or false? A force–extension graph that is a curve shows force is directly proportional to extension.

False. A curve is a non-linear relationship; directly proportional gives a straight line through the origin.

On a force–extension graph with force on the $y$-axis and extension on the $x$-axis, what does the gradient of the straight-line section represent?

The spring constant $k$, in N/m.

How does the spring constant of a stiffer spring compare with that of a less stiff spring?

It is larger: a stiffer spring needs a bigger force for each metre of extension.