Spring

Definition

A spring is an elastic object that stores mechanical energy when it is stretched or compressed. It is a device that can store and release energy, and it is commonly used in various mechanical systems to provide force, absorb shock, or control motion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The force required to stretch or compress a spring is proportional to the distance of the stretch or compression, as described by Hooke's law.
2. The energy stored in a spring is equal to the work done in deforming the spring, and it is known as elastic potential energy.
3. The stiffness of a spring is a measure of its resistance to deformation, and it is the inverse of the spring's compliance.
4. Springs are commonly used in mechanical systems to provide force, absorb shock, or control motion, such as in car suspensions, clocks, and various household appliances.
5. The type of spring used (e.g., coil spring, leaf spring, torsion spring) depends on the specific application and the required force-displacement characteristics.

Review Questions

• Explain how Hooke's law relates to the behavior of a spring.
  • Hooke's law states that the force required to stretch or compress a spring is proportional to the distance of the stretch or compression, within the elastic limit of the material. This means that the force-displacement relationship of a spring is linear, and the spring constant, which represents the stiffness of the spring, determines the slope of this relationship. The spring constant is a measure of how much force is required to produce a unit of displacement in the spring.
• Describe how the energy stored in a spring is related to its deformation.
  • The energy stored in a spring is equal to the work done in deforming the spring, and it is known as elastic potential energy. This energy is stored in the spring as it is stretched or compressed, and it can be released when the spring is allowed to return to its original shape. The amount of elastic potential energy stored in a spring is proportional to the square of the distance the spring is stretched or compressed, and it is also proportional to the spring constant.
• Analyze the role of springs in various mechanical systems and how their properties, such as stiffness, affect the system's behavior.
  • Springs are commonly used in mechanical systems to provide force, absorb shock, or control motion. The type of spring used (e.g., coil spring, leaf spring, torsion spring) depends on the specific application and the required force-displacement characteristics. The stiffness of the spring, as determined by its spring constant, is a crucial factor in the behavior of the mechanical system. A stiffer spring will require more force to produce the same displacement, which can affect the system's response to loads, vibrations, or other external forces. The choice of spring stiffness is often a balance between the desired system behavior and the constraints of the application, such as size, weight, or cost.

Related terms

Hooke's Law:

Hooke's law states that the force required to stretch or compress a spring is proportional to the distance of the stretch or compression, within the elastic limit of the material.

Elastic Potential Energy:

Elastic potential energy is the potential energy stored in a spring or other elastic object when it is stretched or compressed. It is equal to the work done in deforming the object.

Stiffness: Stiffness is a measure of the resistance of an elastic object to deformation. It is the ratio of the force applied to the object to the resulting displacement, and it is the inverse of the object's compliance.