Hooke's Law

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The spring equation is the most common type of Hooke's Law.


[edit] The spring equation

The force of a spring changes as it is being pushed or pulled. The force spring equation is:

F = − kx
where
F is the restoring force by the spring.
k is the spring constant.
x is the distance pushed or pulled

When x = 0, the spring is at rest. The spring is at the equilibrium position. There is a negative sign because the force of the spring does not go to the same direction as the spring moves. This equation only works on a linear spring. A linear spring can only be pushed or pulled in one direction.

[edit] Elastic Potential Energy

Elastic potential energy is the energy saved in an object that is stretched, compressed (compression is pressing objects together), twisted or bent. For example, an arrow gets the elastic potential energy from the bow. When it leaves the bow, the energy turns into kinetic energy. The equation of the elastic potential energy is:

U=\frac{1}{2}kx^2
where
U is the elastic potential energy.
k is the spring constant.
x is the distance pushed or pulled.