HookesLaw 2005-01-26 22:54:42 2006-05-23 15:18:29 Theorem Changes for correction #3 ('some comments'). % this is the default PlanetPhysics preamble. as your knowledge % of TeX increases, you will probably want to edit this, but % it should be fine as is for beginners. % almost certainly you want these \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} % used for TeXing text within eps files %\usepackage{psfrag} % need this for including graphics (\includegraphics) %\usepackage{graphicx} % for neatly defining theorems and propositions %\usepackage{amsthm} % making logically defined graphics %\usepackage{xypic} % there are many more packages, add them here as you need them % define commands here Hooke's law describes the opposing force exerted by a spring: $$ F = -kd $$ where $k$ is the spring constant, and $d$ is the distance the end of the spring is disturbed from its position at relaxation (assuming the other end is fixed). This law is actually almost never used to describe stereotypical metal springs. Instead it is used to describe or approximate a number of other ``spring-like'' interactions in nature, including interactions between microscopic or subatomic particles. The simple linear nature of the law makes it very convenient to work with mathematically. However, this simple linear behavior should be a clue that in most instances the law is not precise; it is just an approximation. For metal springs, the law only holds in the region where the spring behaves elastically; outside of this region, the law breaks down.