Hooke's Law Flashcards
What is Hooke’s Law?
Extension is directly proportional to load.
What is L₁?
The original unstretched length of an object.
What is L₂?
The stretched length of an object when a load is added.
How do you calculate extension?
Extension = L₂ - L₁
What are the three key features of a graph that follows Hooke’s Law?
- Straight line
- Passes through the origin
- As force increases, extension increases
What is the formula for Hooke’s Law?
Force = K × Extension (F = KX)
What is K in Hooke’s Law?
The spring constant (stiffness of the spring).
How do you calculate the spring constant (K)?
K = F/X (Use any values from the straight part of the graph).
What is the limit of proportionality?
The maximum point where a spring obeys Hooke’s Law.
What happens when the limit of proportionality is exceeded?
The graph bends towards the extension axis and the object no longer obeys Hooke’s Law.
Are extension/force and length/force graphs the same?
Yes, but when calculating, we must account for the difference between L₁ and L₂.
What is the elastic limit in Hooke’s Law, and why is it significant?
The elastic limit is the maximum load or extension a spring can sustain and still return to its original shape. Hooke’s Law applies only within this elastic (or proportional) region.
What are the units of the spring constant
𝑘 in Hooke’s Law?
The spring constant
𝑘 is measured in Newtons per meter (N/m).
