Calculate the spring constant of a spring using Hooke’s Law. Enter the spring displacement and force on the spring to calculate the spring constant. (Also known is spring rate calculator)
- Tension Calculator
- Force Calculator
- Elastic Potential Energy Calculator
- Spiral Torsion Spring Calculator
Hooke’s Law Formula
The following is Hooke’s law formula for determining the spring constant of a spring:
F = -k*x
- Where F is the force (N)
- k is the spring constant (N/m)
- x is the displacement (m) (positive for displacement, negative for compression)
Spring Constant Definition
A spring constant is a measure of a spring’s ability to resist compression and elongation. The higher the spring constant, the harder it is to compress or stretch it. This value is also a measure of elasticity. That is, elasticity is directly related to the force constant. The higher the elasticity, the lower the spring constant. The force and displacement are proportional so if graphed against one another, it would yield a straight line.
Taking another look at the equation above it can be seen that there is a negative sign in the equation. This is to take into account the direction of displacement. Displacement can be positive if the spring is being pulled in tension, or negative if the spring is being compressed.
How to calculate a spring constant?
How to Calculate a spring constant
- First, the formula for hooke’s law must be manipulated to solve for k, the spring constant
To do this, we simply divide both sides by -x. This yields the equation k = -F/x.
- Next, we must measure our first variable
In this case, we will first measure the force acting on the spring. In most spring applications this is done directly via a gauge. Sometimes it’s also provided in a problem. For this example, we will assume 10 Newtons.
- Next, we must measure the displacement
As is the case with the force, when springs are involved this displacement is almost always measured directly or given in the problem. For this example we will say the displacement is -1 meter, meaning the spring is in compression.
- Finally, enter all of the information into our formula
k = -F/X= -10/-1 = -10. The spring constant 10 N*m.
- Analyze the results
Analyze the results for accuracy and apply what’s been learned to future problems.
FAQ
A spring constant is a variable used in physics to describe the force per unit of distance a spring will resist or apply to an object. In other words, it’s a measure of how stiff a spring is; the higher the constant the stiffer the spring.
In simple cases the spring constant does not change, however, if analyzed more closely, the spring constant can change depending on other factors such as temperature and whether the spring is in tension or compression.
Displacement can be either positive or negative depending on whether the spring is in compression or tension.
For more science and engineering calculators, click here.
Related Terms
spring constant calculator |
spring constant formula |
how to calculate spring constant |
spring constant equation |
hooke’s law formula |
how to find spring constant |
force constant formula |
stiffness of spring formula |
finding spring constant |
how to determine spring constant |
hooke’s law formula derivation |
spring constant equation gcse |
spring constant formula with mass |
how do you find the spring constant |
spring formulas physics |
hooke’s law equation examples |
how to work out the spring constant |
hooke law equation |
how to find spring constant k |
spring constant k formula |
spring constant experiment graph |
formula for force constant |
determine spring constant |
force constant of a spring formula |
effective spring constant formula |
spring constant equation with mass |
how to find spring stiffness |
how to find the force constant of a spring |
how do you find spring constant |
spring displacement formula |
spring stretch formula |
how do you calculate spring constant |
graph of spring constant |
how to find spring constant formula |
how to find the spring constant of a spring |
spring coefficient equation |
formula to find spring constant |
how do you calculate the spring constant |
spring constant formula physics |
equation to find spring constant |
how to calculate spring constant k |
spring force constant formula |
how to find spring constant of a spring |
how to calculate force constant of a spring |
spring force constant calculator |
elastic constant equation |
equation of hooke’s law |
spring coefficient calculator |
stiffness of a spring formula |
equation for spring constant k |
spring constant calculation formula |
spring rate k formula |
find spring constant from graph |
determination of spring constant experiment |
extension force spring constant equation |
hooke’s law calculations |
calculating spring constant from graph |
physics spring constant equation |
spring displacement calculator |
how do you work out the spring constant |
force constant of spring formula |
spring constant equation physics |
how to find force constant of spring |
how to calculate hooke’s law |
spring constant force equation |
force spring constant equation |
equation for extension force and spring constant |
spring stretch equation |
determine the spring constant of the spring |
how to find k in spring constant |
equation linking force spring constant and extension |
formula of stiffness of spring |
formula of spring constant k |
spring coefficient formula |
how to calculate the spring constant of a spring |
equation for force constant |
how do you find a spring constant |
calculation for spring constant |
spring constant calculator with mass |
formula for force constant of a spring |
finding force constant of a spring |
how to find k in elastic potential energy |
constant force spring equation |
hooks laws formula |
stiffness of spring equation |
how to find spring constant physics |
determine spring constant experiment |
force equation spring constant |