Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A spring is an elastic object that can store mechanical energy when it is stretched or compressed. It exerts a restoring force that brings it back to its original shape and size when the applied force is removed.
Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the displacement from its equilibrium position. This relationship is given by F = -kx, where F represents force, k represents the spring constant, and x represents displacement.
Elasticity: Elasticity refers to a material's ability to regain its original shape after being deformed. Springs are examples of highly elastic objects.
SHM refers to the motion exhibited by systems experiencing a restoring force proportional to their displacement from equilibrium. A mass-spring system undergoing oscillations exhibits SHM as long as certain conditions are met.