In physics, Hooke's law is an empirical law which states that the force (F) needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance (x) scales linearly with respect to that distance.
$$F_{s} = -kx$$
where,
\(F_{s}\)— the force applied to the spring;
k— the spring constant (a measure of the stiffness of the spring);
x— the displacement from the equilibrium position.
Frequently asked questions
What does Hooke's law state?
Hooke's law states that spring force is proportional to displacement, as long as the elastic limit is not exceeded.
What is the spring constant?
The spring constant measures how stiff a spring is and how much force is needed to deform it.
When does Hooke's law stop being accurate?
It stops being accurate when the material is stretched or compressed beyond its elastic limit.
