Physics Study Guide/Periodic Motion

Springs

Hooke's law

$k$ is the spring constant and $x$ is the displacement (the force is the restoring force)

For this equation to be approximately accurate, $x$ needs to be below the spring's elastic limit. If $x$ is more than the spring's elastic limit, the spring will exhibit "plastic behaviour" meaning that it will not return to its original position.

Potential energy

potential energy stored in a compressed recoiled spring Template:PSG/eq

$T$ is the period, $m$ is the mass, and $k$ is the spring constant. Template:PSG/eq