<p align="right">Last Update: <font color="#4f81bd">January 04, 2025</font></p> ## BIG IDEAS - The spring constant ($k$) measures the ==stiffness of the material==. - The units for $k$ are newtons per meter ($\frac{N}{m}$). ---- **Guiding Question**: How do I describe a spring constant ($k$)? - The spring constant ($k$) measures the stiffness of a spring. - A larger $k$ value means the spring is stiffer and harder to stretch, while a smaller value indicates a softer spring that is easier to stretch. - The units for k are newtons per meter ($\frac{N}{m}$) which tells you how much force is required to stretch the spring by one meter. ### Symbol $k$ SI Unit $\frac{N}{m}$ Where - $N$ is the unit of force, newton, and - $m$ is the unit for distance, meter ### Unit Analysis for $k$ Step 1. Begin with Hooke's law $\overrightarrow{F}\ = \ - k\ x$ Step 2. Rearrange to isolate $k$ $k\ = \frac{\overrightarrow{F}}{x}$ Step 3. Insert the units for force and displacement. $\text{units for} \ k = \frac{N}{m}$