Hooke's Law When an elastic object - such as a spring - is stretched, the increased length is called its extension. The extension of an elastic object is directly proportional to the force applied to it:

F = k × e

F is the force in newtons, N
k is the 'spring constant' in newtons per metre, N/m
e is the extension in metres, m

This equation works as long as the elastic limit (the limit of proportionality) is not exceeded

If a spring is stretched too much, for example, it will not return to its original length when the load is removed

The spring constant

The spring constant k is different for different objects and materials

It is found by carrying out an experiment

For example, the unloaded length of a spring is measured

Different numbers of slotted masses are added to the spring and its new length measured each time

The extension is the new length minus the unloaded length

Assuming the limit of proportionality (elastic limit) is not exceeded, a graph of force against extension produces a straight line that passes through the origin

The gradient of the line is the spring constant, k. The greater the value of k, the stiffer the spring

	Created by juliasutton over 10 years ago

GCSE Physics Note on P2a (part 2), created by juliasutton on 23/04/2014.