Forces and elasticity key terms

spring constant

A measure of the stiffness of a spring, defined as the force required to produce a unit extension, measured in newtons per metre (N/m).

newtons per metre

The unit of measurement for spring constant, indicating the amount of force in newtons needed to extend or compress a spring by one metre.

spring constant

A measure of the stiffness of a spring, defined as the force required to produce a unit extension.

elastic deformation

Deformation that is reversed when the force applied to an object is removed.

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.

force-extension graph

A graph that plots the force applied to a spring against the extension of the spring, used to determine the spring constant and identify elastic behavior.

Hooke's law

The principle stating that the extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied, up to the limit of proportionality.

Limit of proportionality

The maximum extent to which a material can be stretched or compressed while still obeying Hooke's law.

extension

The increase in length of an object when it is stretched.

limit of proportionality

The maximum extent to which a material can be stretched without permanently deforming.

Hooke's Law

The principle stating that the extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied, 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, measured in newtons per metre (N/m).

original length

The length of a spring measured before any loads are applied.

load

The weight or force applied to a spring during an experiment.

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.

original length

The length of a spring before any loads are applied.

extension

The increase in length of an object when stretched.

force

A push or pull acting on an object, measured in newtons.

force-extension graph

A graph that shows the relationship between the force applied to an elastic object and the extension produced.

limit of proportionality

The maximum point on a force-extension graph where the extension is directly proportional to the applied force.

force-extension graph

A graph that shows the relationship between the force applied to an elastic object and the extension produced.

proportional behaviour

A relationship where an increase in one quantity results in a corresponding increase in another quantity, typically represented by a straight line on a graph.

spring constant

A measure of a spring’s stiffness, calculated as the ratio of force applied to the resulting extension within the elastic limit.

gradient of a force–extension graph

The slope of the straight‑line section of a force‑extension plot, representing the spring constant (k) in Newtons per metre.

anomalous readings

Data points that deviate significantly from the expected trend in force-extension measurements.

force-extension graph

A graphical representation showing the relationship between the force applied to an object and its extension.

elastic limit

The maximum extent to which a spring can be stretched or compressed without permanently deforming.

overloading

Applying a load to a spring that exceeds its elastic limit, causing permanent deformation.