An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A characteristic of a spring which is defined as the ratio of the force affecting the spring to the displacement caused by the force. In other words, the spring constant is the force applied if the displacement in the spring is unity. It is expressed by the equation k = -F/x (from → Hooke’s law), where F = force applied, x = displacement by the spring. The spring constant is usually expressed in Newton per meter (N/m).

See also: → spring; → force.