Explore the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces
Pull a spring with your mouse and see the force grow in proportion, with a force-displacement graph. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces?
Pull a spring with your mouse and see the force grow in proportion, with a force-displacement graph. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Car suspensions, mattresses, pens, weighing scales and trampolines all use springs.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
F = −k x.
The spring force is proportional to the stretch.
A stiffer spring has a larger k.
Double the stretch and read the force.
Compare k = 100 and k = 400.
Release the handle and watch it oscillate.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Compare k = 100 and k = 400. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What is Hooke's law?
The force needed to stretch or compress a spring is proportional to the change in its length.
What does the graph slope mean?
The slope of force against displacement is the spring constant k.
Is the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces free to use?
Yes. The Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 10 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces?
1. In the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces, use the controls to change System, Spring 1 stiffness, Spring 2 stiffness (systems), Applied force, Force arrows, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces, pick an option such as One spring, Two in parallel, Two in series, On to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces, press "Set to rest (x = 0)", "Reset" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Double the stretch and read the force. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Hooke's Law: Springs and Forces responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: F = −k x.
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Pull a spring with your mouse and see the force grow in proportion, with a. Free to use.
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