Spring

• Explain the relationship between the force applied and the extension of an elastic object.

  The extension is directly proportional to the force applied, provided that the limit of proportionality isn't exceeded
• What is meant by inelastic deformation?

  • A deformation which results in the object being permanently stretched
  • The object doesn't return to its original shape when the force is removed
• What is another word for inelastic deformation?

  Plastic deformation
• Units for spring constant?

  N/m
• What type of energy is stored in a spring when it is stretched?

  Elastic potential energy
• What can extension be replaced with in the equation of spring force?


  Compression
• Putting force on a spring will cause it to stretch. The amount it will stretch, the extension, for a given force depends on the spring itself. Each spring will have a different spring constant which will determine how much force is required to stretch out a spring
• What is Hooke's Law?


  When an elastic object (like a spring) is stretched, the increased length is called its extension. The extension of an elastic object is directly proportional to the force applied
• What is 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
• Graph showing Hooke's Law: Extension is plotted against force

  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