Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I need help finding a definition for spring constant. When I try researching it, Hooke's law always comes up. I know these are relevant, but I want a clear definition of the spring constant. Can you explain what the spring constant is, and how it relates to Hooke's law?

I've moved this question to the Physical Sciences forum since Hooke's law and spring constants fall under the domain of physics. Looking at your current research topic:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... 063#p28063

...I'd classify your project as biophysics, so you might run into some other in-between issues. If you post physics questions in this thread and bio questions in the thread above, it'll help everyone keep track of the conversation.

Amanda

Hello and welcome to the forum!

According to Wikipedia,

Hooke's law of elasticity is an approximation that states that the extension of a spring is in direct proportion with the load applied to it.

. The spring constant, or "k" is just the linear constant that makes this observation work. (F=-kx).

Keith

Need these today if possible! Any help is greatly appreciated. Sorry to tag this onto this post, but impossible for me to post a new query (button not available to do so from any forum).
Thanks

ccaldewey wrote:Need these today if possible!

kudger actually already answered your questions, maybe not in a way you understood...

The F = -k*x equation for a spring is mathmatically stating that:
The force (F) required to compress or expand a spring is proportional (k is spring proportionality coefficient specific to the specific spring) to the change in spring length.

This is also known as Hooke's Law of elasticity. Hooke observed that the relationship of the compression and expansion of any elastic material (spring qualifies) is linearly proportional to the force required to compress or expand the material as long as you didn't exceed the material's elastic limits (the point at which the material will no longer return to its original length when the force is removed).

Hooke's law also doesn't take into account some "pre-load" non-linear response region. Springs often have some minimum force required before their expansion/compression is linear.