P1 (Chapter 1)– Motion

P1.09 – Stretching Springs


1.5 Effects of forces
Know that forces may produce
changes in the size, shape and
motion of an object
Sketch, plot and interpret load–
extension graphs for an elastic
solid and describe the associated
experimental procedures
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Define the spring constant as force
per unit extension; recall and use
the equation
Define and use the term ‘limit of
proportionality’ for a load–
extension graph and identify this
point on the graph (an
understanding of the elastic limit is
not required)
 Hooke’s Law and forces acting
on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

• Hooke discovered that the

amount a spring stretches is
proportional to the amount of
force applied to it.

• That is, if you double the load

the extension will double.
= Hooke’s Law
 Hooke’s Law and forces acting
on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

• Hooke discovered
that the amount a
spring stretches is
proportional to the
amount of force
applied to it.

• That is, if you double

the load the extension
will double.
= Hooke’s Law
 Hooke’s Law and forces acting
on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

• Hooke discovered
that the amount a
spring stretches is
proportional to the
amount of force For any spring, dividing
applied to it.
the load (force) by the
extension gives a value
• That is, if you double
called the spring
the load the extension constant (K), provided
will double.
that the spring is not
= Hooke’s Law
stretched beyond its
elastic limit.
 Hooke’s Law and forces acting
on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

Spring constant:

Load = spring constant x extension F = k x x the spring constant (K)

X Up to point ‘X’ the

extension is
proportional to the
load. Point ‘X’ is the
limit or proportionality
 Hooke’s Law and forces acting
on a stretched spring.
Robert Hooke was
born in 1635 and the
1660’s he devised an
equation describing
elasticity.

Beyond point ‘X’ the spring continues to behave elastically and

returns to its original length when the force is removed. At the
elastic limit the spring behaves in a ‘plastic’ way and does not
return to its original length – it is permanently stretched. For any spring, dividing
the load (force) by the
extension gives a value
X Up to point ‘X’ the called the spring
extension is constant (K), provided
proportional to the that the spring is not
stretched beyond its
load. Point ‘X’ is the elastic limit.
limit of proportionality
limit of proportionality:

At a certain point, the graph bends and

the line slopes up more steeply. This
point is called the limit of
proportionality. (This point is also known
as the elastic limit.)

If the spring is stretched beyond this

point, it will be permanently damaged. If
the load is removed, the spring will not
return all the way to its original,
undeformed length.
Example:
A spring has a spring constant k = 20 N/cm. What load is
needed to produce an extension of 2.5 cm?

Step 1:
Write down what you know and what you want to find out.
load F = ?
spring constant k = 20 N/cm
extension = 2.5 cm
Step 2:
Write down the equation linking these quantities, substitute
values and calculate the result.
F = kx
F = 20 × 2.5 = 50 N
So a load of 50 N will stretch the spring by 2.5 cm.
 End of topic

P1.09 – Stretching Springs