Hooke’s Law

Relaxed spring x=0 Equilibrium / Mean position Relaxed spring x = 0 Equilibrium / mean position
How spring force F varies with
deformation in length x of the
spring is also shown in the Compression
Compressed spring
Compression following figure.
Compressed spring Elongation

Force by spring on the

wall Elongated spring

Force by wall Force by hand Force by

on spring on spring spring on
hand
Elongation
Spring force
Elongated spring

Force by wall on Compression Extension

spring

Force by spring on Force by spring on Force by hand on

wall hand spring

Hooke’s Law Spring Constant (Stiffness)

The force F varies linearly with x and acts in a direction opposite to x.

Therefore, it is expressed by the following equation.
F = −kx

The constant of proportionality k is known as spring constant.

The slope modulus of the graph equals to the spring constant.

SI unit of spring constant k is newton per meter or (N/m).

Dimensions of k are MT−2

Here, the minus (−) sign represents the fact that force F is opposite to x.
The constant of proportionality k is known as spring constant
Example A mass M is suspended as shown in figure. The system is in equilibrium. Example A mass M is suspended as shown in Figure. The system is in
Assume pulleys to be massless. k is the force constant of the spring. equilibrium. Assume pulleys to be massless. K is the force
The extension produced in the spring is given by
constant of the spring. The extension produced in the spring is
A. 4Mg/k given by
B. Mg/k A. 4Mg/K
C. 2Mg/k B. Mg/K
D. 3Mg/k C. 2Mg/K
D. 3Mg/K

The system is in equilibrium. Pulleys are massless. K is the force constant The system is in equilibrium. Pulleys are massless. K is the
Example of the spring. Find the net tension force acting on the lower support.
Example
force constant of the spring. Find the net tension force acting
A. Mg on the lower support.
B. 2Mg A. Mg
C. 3Mg B. 2Mg
D. 4Mg C. 3Mg
D. 4Mg

M
Example The system is in equilibrium. K is the force constant of the spring. If each Example The system is in equilibrium. K is the force constant of the
of the pulley A and B has mass M, Find the net tension force acting on the spring. If each of the pulley A and B has mass M, Find the net
lower support.
tension force acting on the lower support.
A. 2Mg
B. 6Mg
C. 3Mg
D. 4Mg

On applying a force F the point ‘P’ is displaced vertically down by y from

Example
equilibrium position Find the force F in terms of the force constant k of
the spring & displacement y, for the cases (A) and (B)
 Example One end of a massless spring of natural length 3R/4 is attached to the lowest
point O of the wire track. A small ring of mass m is held stationary of point P
such that the spring makes an angle of 60° with the vertical. k = (mg/R).
At the instant when the ring is released :-
Determine the tangential acceleration of the ring &
the normal reaction between ring and track.

String Cut Problems Example 2 blocks are connected by a spring. The combination is suspended, at rest,
from a string attached to the ceiling, as shown in the figure. The string
Tension Spring Force breaks suddenly. Immediately after the string breaks, what is the initial
downward acceleration of the upper block of mass 2m?

2m
•

Instantly Vanishes/Changes Stays

m
Example The system of two weights with masses m1 & m2 are connected with Example If string connecting blocks m2 & m3 is cut at point A. Find the
weightless spring as shown the system is resting on the support ‘S’. Find accelerations of masses m1, m2, & m3 just after the string is cut!
the acceleration of each of the weights just after the support ‘S’ is quickly
removed.

m1

•
A
m2
m2

m3

support

m1

Example The block m2 hangs from a fixed smooth by an inextensible string that is
fitted with a light spring of stiffness k as shown. Find the acceleration of
the bodies just after the string S is cut.
Composite Springs

m1
•

m2
Springs in Parallel Springs in Parallel
keq F This situation is shown in figure If the
force F pulls the mass m by y, the
stretch in each spring will be y,
i.e., y1 = y2 = y

Now as for a spring F = ky and as k’s are not equal so F1 ≠ F2 but for
equilibrium

F = F1 + F2 i.e., ky = k1y1 + k2y2 [as F = ky]

which in the light of Eq. (i) reduces to k = k1 + k2 + ....

This is like capacitors in parallel or resistance in series.

keq = k1 + k2 + ....

Springs in Series Springs in Series

This situation is shown in figure
F
As springs are mass less, force in these must be
same, i.e.,

F1 = F 2 = F (i)

Now as F = ky and k’s are not equal, stretches will not be equal,
i.e., y ≠ y2

keq But, y = y1 + y2 or [as for F = ky, y = (F/k) ]

F

which in the light of Eq. (i) reduces to

 4 identical springs are connected as shown each spring has a spring
Example constant of 10 N/m. Find the net extension of the spring system on
attaching a 25 kg mass

A. 5m
B. 10m
C. 15m
D. 25m

25 kg