What is the relationship specified by Hooke's Law?

What is the relationship specified by Hooke's Law?

• A. The elasticity of materials increases with temperature
• B. The force exerted on a spring is inversely proportional to its compression
• C. The force exerted is directly proportional to the distance a spring is stretched
• D. The energy stored in a spring decreases with additional force

Answer: (C)

Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the distance the spring is stretched or compressed from its equilibrium position, provided the elastic limit of the spring material is not exceeded. This relationship can be mathematically expressed as F = kx, where F is the force exerted, k is the spring constant (indicating the stiffness of the spring), and x is the displacement from the rest position. This principle is fundamental in understanding how springs and elastic materials behave under load. The correct answer highlights this direct proportionality, illustrating how stretching the spring further results in a greater force exerted. This principle is widely applied in various mechanical and engineering contexts, emphasizing the predictable nature of spring behavior under elastic deformation.

Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the distance the spring is stretched or compressed from its equilibrium position, provided the elastic limit of the spring material is not exceeded. This relationship can be mathematically expressed as F = kx, where F is the force exerted, k is the spring constant (indicating the stiffness of the spring), and x is the displacement from the rest position. This principle is fundamental in understanding how springs and elastic materials behave under load.

The correct answer highlights this direct proportionality, illustrating how stretching the spring further results in a greater force exerted. This principle is widely applied in various mechanical and engineering contexts, emphasizing the predictable nature of spring behavior under elastic deformation.