spring constant
What spring constant means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of spring constant
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Reference: OCR
A measure of stiffness, found by rearranging F = kx to give k = F ÷ x, where F is the applied force in newtons and x is the extension in metres.
A property of that particular spring, measured in newtons per metre, where a large value means a stiff spring that extends very little.
The quantity k in the elastic potential energy equation, measured in N/m.
Value in N/m used in the equation for energy transferred in stretching.
Topics that use spring constant
- Forces and elasticity (AQA GCSE)
- Forces in action (OCR GCSE)
- Work done (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- Elastic potential energy
- elastic deformation
- Elastic limit
- extension
- Gravitational potential energy
- Area under a force–extension graph
- Clockwise and anticlockwise rotation
- Closed systems
Using spring constant in the exam
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