Hooke's Law Key Terms

Key Terms

1. Deform: change in length (or shape).
2. Elastic deformation: the spring returns to its original length.
3. Plastic/inelastic deformation: the spring does not return to its original length.
4. Original length: starting length ($L_0$).
5. Stretched length: length after force is applied ($L$).
6. Extension: difference between stretched length and original length.
   ($E = L - L_0$) (sometimes denoted as $X$ or $\Delta x$).