Simple Harmonic Motion (7 of 16): The Spring Constant, An Explanation

What does Hooke's Law describe?

• The relationship between mass and gravity.

• The force exerted by a spring and its change in length.

• The speed of an object in motion.

• The temperature change in a material.

In Hooke's Law (Fs = -kx), what does the negative sign tell us?

• The spring force is always negative.

• The spring is losing energy.

• The spring force acts in the opposite direction to the change in length.

• The spring constant is a negative value.

What are the standard units for the spring constant (k)?

• Meters per second (m/s)

• Kilograms (kg)

• Newtons per meter (N/m)

• Joules (J)

If a spring has a high spring constant (k), what does that mean about the spring?

• It is very soft and easy to stretch.

• It is very stiff and hard to stretch.

• It will break easily.

• It can only be compressed, not stretched.

When a mass is hung from a spring, how does the amount the spring stretches relate to the mass?

• The stretch is half the mass.

• The stretch is directly proportional to the mass.

• The stretch is inversely proportional to the mass.

• The stretch is unrelated to the mass.

What are the standard units for the spring constant (k) in physics?

• Grams per centimeter (g/cm)

• Kilograms per meter (kg/m)

• Newtons per meter (N/m)

• Centimeters per Newton (cm/N)

To find the force (in Newtons) exerted by a mass hanging on a spring, what two values do you need to multiply?

• Mass in grams and acceleration due to gravity.

• Mass in kilograms and acceleration due to gravity.

• Mass in kilograms and the spring's extension in meters.

• Mass in grams and the spring's extension in centimeters.

If a spring is stiffer, how does its spring constant (k) compare to a less stiff spring?

• A stiffer spring has a lower spring constant.

• A stiffer spring has the same spring constant.

• A stiffer spring has a higher spring constant.

• The spring constant is not affected by stiffness.