What does the k mean in Hooke’s law? - FutureLearn (2024)

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What does the k mean in Hooke’s law? - FutureLearn? ›

K represents the constant of proportionality, also known as the 'spring constant. ' In layman's terms, the k variable in Hooke's law (F = -kx) indicates stiffness and strength. The higher the value of k, the more force is needed to stretch an object to a given length.

The proportional constant k is called the spring constant. It is a measure of the spring's stiffness.

In the equation for hooke's law, the variable k represents. The spring constant of the spring.

Generally, as others have stated, K usually mean Kelvins, and can also stand for kinetic energy (especially if paired with U and E, which typically represent potential energy and total energy, respectively). The lower case k is a little more broad. In heat transfer it usually means the conduction coefficient.

The spring constant 'k' of a spring is found using Hooke's law F = -kx, and rearranging it to k = F/x. In this case, given the applied force (20N) and change in length (26cm), we find the spring constant to be 0.77 N/cm.

The Boltzmann constant (k_B or k) is the proportionality factor that relates the average relative thermal energy of particles in a gas with the thermodynamic temperature of the gas.

The proportionality constant k is known as the spring constant and describes how stiff the spring is. Now we are again ready to ask. "How much work is done when we stretch a spring a distance x from its equilibrium position?" We know how to handle a constant force.

As per the Hooke's Law, if spring is stretched, the force exerted is proportional to the increase in length from the equilibrium length, F = -k*x. The formula to calculate the spring constant is as follows: k= -F/x, where k is the spring constant.

A2: The mathematical equation for Hooke's Law is F = -kx, where F represents the force applied to the spring, k is the spring constant, and x denotes the displacement or deformation of the spring from its equilibrium position.

The rate or spring constant, k, relates the force to the extension in SI units: N/m or kg/s2.

What does K stand for? ›

K comes from the Greek word kilo which means a thousand. The Greeks would likewise show million as M, short for Mega.

The constant of proportionality k is called Coulomb's constant. In SI units, the constant k has the value k = 8.99 × 10 9 N ⋅ m 2 /C 2. k = 8.99 × 10 9 N ⋅ m 2 /C 2.

Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19. Classified as an alkali metal, Potassium is a solid at room temperature.

K represents the constant of proportionality, also known as the 'spring constant. ' In layman's terms, the k variable in Hooke's law (F = -kx) indicates stiffness and strength. The higher the value of k, the more force is needed to stretch an object to a given length.

Spring Constant Definition

Where F represents the restoring force of the spring, x is the displacement of the spring, and k is known as the spring constant. The spring constant units are given as Newton per meter.

Though we have not explicitly established the direction of the force here, the negative sign is customarily added. This is to signify that the restoring force due to the spring is in the opposite direction to the force which caused the displacement.

The potential energy of a spring is given by, P.E = ½ k x². Where, k is the spring constant. x is the spring displacement.

When two variables are directly or indirectly proportional to each other, then their relationship can be described as y = kx or y = k/x, where k determines how the two variables are related to one another. This k is known as the constant of proportionality.