3.2.21

Elasticity - Hooke's Law

Test yourself

Hooke's Law

If, when an object is stretched, its extension is directly proportional to the force applied, we say it follows Hooke’s Law.

Illustrative background for Hooke's LawIllustrative background for Hooke's Law ?? "content

Hooke's Law

  • When we pull on a spring, it will extend.
  • Hooke’s Law says the extension will be directly proportional to the force applied.
  • So if we double the force we apply to the spring, the extension also doubles.
  • If we draw a graph, it shows a directly proportional relationship - a straight line through the origin.
  • Eventually, if you keep increasing the force, the spring will not return to its original shape.
  • When this happens, we say the spring has reached its limit of proportionality.
Illustrative background for Investigating Hooke's lawIllustrative background for Investigating Hooke's law ?? "content

Investigating Hooke's law

  • You can investigate Hooke’s Law by attaching a spring to a clamp.
  • Then, if you hang slotted masses on the spring, you can measure the extension of the spring.
  • Remember - if the masses are in grams you will need to convert to Newtons.
    • Newtons = mass (kg) x gravitational field strength (m/s2).

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson