Spring — Hooke’s Law

Over what extension range does a constant-stiffness spring model adequately describe these measurements?

Force proportional to unloaded extension, with an optional empirical force offset.

Extension: x / m · Force: F / N

Reference scale is an assumed response noise floor, not measured uncertainty.

• Extension is measured from the unloaded length.
• A constant spring stiffness applies only within an approximately linear elastic regime.
• Force-zero offset, apparatus effects, and loading history can alter the measurements.

Approximately linear elastic response; extension measured from unloaded length.

Hooke’s law assumes constant spring stiffness within an approximately linear elastic regime. A progressive departure may reflect geometry, material response, or measurement effects. The residual pattern alone cannot identify the cause.