Chapter 14, Problem 39A

To determine

Behavior of a spring if it obeys Hooke’s law.

Answer to Problem 39A

The spring is stretched to some distance which is directly proportional to the force applied to it.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The behavior of the spring describes the Hooke’s law.Hooke’s law is based on the law of elasticity. According to Hooke’s Law, for small distortions in an object, the change in position or size of the distortion is directly proportional to the deforming force.

In case of the spring it comes back to its original position after removing its weight or load.

Hooke’s Law states that the required force to expand or compress a spring by some amount is linearly proportional to that same distance.

Hooke’s Law is given as,

  $f=-kx$

Where, $f$ is the force, $k$ is the constant and $x$ is the displacement of object.

By Hooke’s law, the restoring force is proportional to the quantity of the stretch that is experienced.

Conclusion:

Hence, the spring stretched at a distance which is linearly proportional to the force applied to it.