Question Detail
Question
The force required to stretch or compress a spring by a displacement x from its equilibrium position is given by Hooke's law: F_s = -k x. What does the constant k represent?
Correct Answer
Option B is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
In Hooke's law, F_s = -k x, k is the spring constant (or force constant). It is a measure of the stiffness of the spring; a larger k means a stiffer spring that requires more force for the same displacement. Its unit is N/m.
Hint
This constant is a property of the specific spring, indicating how resistant it is to being compressed or stretched.