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Forces and elasticity key terms
Study Forces and elasticity with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
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key terms
Resource type
Topic
Forces and elasticity
Key terms
Elastic Deformation
Deformation that is reversed when the force is removed.
Inelastic Deformation
Deformation that is not fully reversed when the force is removed.
inelastic deformation
Deformation that is not fully reversed when the force is removed.
elastic deformation
Deformation that is reversed when the force is removed.
extension
The increase in length of an object when stretched.
deformation
The change in shape or size of an object due to an applied force.
compression
Deformation caused by squeezing forces that reduces the volume of an object.
deformation
The change in shape or size of an object due to applied forces.
elastic deformation
Deformation that is reversed when the force is removed.
inelastic deformation
Deformation that is not fully reversed when the force is removed.
limit of proportionality
The maximum extent to which a material can be stretched or compressed while still returning to its original shape when the force is removed.
extension
The increase in length of an object when a force is applied, measured from its original length.
limit of proportionality
The maximum extent to which a material can be stretched or compressed without permanently deforming.
elastic deformation
Deformation that is fully reversible when the applied force is removed.
extension
The increase in length of an object when it is stretched.
total length
The overall length of an object, including any extension that occurs when a force is applied.
extension
The increase in length of an object when it is stretched.
elastic deformation
Deformation that is reversed when the force is removed.
elastic deformation
Deformation that is reversed when the force is removed.
inelastic deformation
Deformation that is not fully reversed when the force is removed.
extension
The increase in length of an object when stretched.
limit of proportionality
The point beyond which extension is no longer directly proportional to force.
Hooke's Law
The principle stating that the force needed to extend or compress a spring is proportional to the distance it is stretched or compressed, up to the limit of proportionality.
Spring Constant
A measure of a spring's stiffness, defined as the ratio of the force affecting the spring to the extension produced, typically measured in newtons per metre (N/m).
spring constant
A measure of the stiffness of a spring, defined as the force required to extend or compress the spring by a unit length.
elastic potential energy
The energy stored in an elastic object when it is stretched or compressed, calculated using the spring constant and the extension.
spring constant
A measure of the stiffness of a spring, defined as the force required to produce a unit extension.
extension
The increase in length of a spring or elastic object when a force is applied.
extension
The increase in length of an object when stretched.
spring constant
A measure of the stiffness of a spring, defined as the force required to extend or compress it by a unit length.
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