AP Physics 1 Flashcards: Spring Forces

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Spring Forces, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics 1.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which physical law describes the force in a spring?

Answer: Hooke's Law. Named after Robert Hooke, describes elastic behavior.

Flashcard 2: Find the spring constant if $F_s = 50 \, N$ and $x = 0.25 \, m$.

Answer: $k = 200 \, N/m$. Using $k = \frac{F_s}{x} = \frac{50}{0.25} = 200$ N/m.

Flashcard 3: State the formula for potential energy stored in a spring.

Answer: $U = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$. Energy stored when spring is displaced from equilibrium.

Flashcard 4: Find the displacement if $F_s = -10 \, N$ and $k = 50 \, N/m$.

Answer: $x = 0.2 \, m$. From $x = \frac{F_s}{-k} = \frac{-10}{-50} = 0.2$ m.

Flashcard 5: Identify the proportionality constant in Hooke's Law.

Answer: Spring constant $k$. The coefficient relating force to displacement.

Flashcard 6: Determine potential energy if $k = 50 \, N/m$ and $x = 0.4 \, m$.

Answer: $U = 4 \, J$. Using $U = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 = \frac{1}{2}(50)(0.4)^2 = 4$ J.

Flashcard 7: What is the relationship between spring force and displacement?

Answer: Directly proportional. Larger displacement produces proportionally larger force magnitude.

Flashcard 8: What is the potential energy for a spring at its equilibrium position?

Answer: $0 \, J$. No displacement means no stored energy in the spring.

Flashcard 9: Identify the type of force acting when a spring is neither compressed nor stretched.

Answer: No force (equilibrium). Spring is at its natural length with zero displacement.

Flashcard 10: Find the spring constant for $F_s = 30 \, N$ and $x = 0.15 \, m$.

Answer: $k = 200 \, N/m$. From $k = \frac{F_s}{x} = \frac{30}{0.15} = 200$ N/m.

Flashcard 11: Identify the direction of spring force when a spring is compressed.

Answer: Opposite to compression. Spring pushes back against the compression direction.

Flashcard 12: What is the restoring force in a spring system?

Answer: Force returning system to equilibrium. Force that opposes displacement from equilibrium.

Flashcard 13: What happens to spring force if the spring constant is doubled?

Answer: Force doubles. Force is directly proportional to spring constant.

Flashcard 14: What is the potential energy if $k = 100 \, N/m$ and $x = 0.1 \, m$?

Answer: $U = 0.5 \, J$. Using $U = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 = \frac{1}{2}(100)(0.1)^2 = 0.5$ J.

Flashcard 15: What is the equilibrium position of a spring?

Answer: Position where net force is zero. Natural length where spring exerts no force.

Flashcard 16: Identify the unit of spring constant $k$ in SI units.

Answer: Newton per meter (N/m). Force per unit length, derived from $F = kx$.

Flashcard 17: What is the unit of potential energy in the SI system?

Answer: Joule (J). Standard SI unit for all forms of energy.

Flashcard 18: Identify the proportionality constant in Hooke's Law.

Answer: Spring constant $k$. The coefficient relating force to displacement.

Flashcard 19: Calculate the force if $k = 150 \, N/m$ and $x = -0.3 \, m$.

Answer: $F_s = 45 \, N$. Force magnitude: $|F_s| = kx = 150 \times 0.3 = 45$ N.

Flashcard 20: What is the potential energy of a spring at maximum stretch?

Answer: Maximum potential energy. Energy is maximum when displacement is maximum.

Flashcard 21: Calculate spring force with $k = 250 \, N/m$ and $x = -0.04 \, m$.

Answer: $F_s = 10 \, N$. Force magnitude: $|F_s| = k|x| = 250 \times 0.04 = 10$ N.

Flashcard 22: What type of motion does a mass undergo when attached to a spring?

Answer: Simple harmonic motion. Oscillatory motion with restoring force proportional to displacement.

Flashcard 23: What happens to potential energy if displacement is tripled?

Answer: Increases ninefold. Potential energy depends on $x^2$, so $(3x)^2 = 9x^2$.

Flashcard 24: What is the potential energy for a spring at its equilibrium position?

Answer: $0 \, J$. No displacement means no stored energy in the spring.

Flashcard 25: Identify the variable representing potential energy in spring systems.

Answer: $U$. Symbol for potential energy in spring equations.

Flashcard 26: Find the spring force if $k = 200 \, N/m$ and $x = 0.1 \, m$.

Answer: $F_s = -20 \, N$. Using $F_s = -kx = -200 \times 0.1 = -20$ N.

Flashcard 27: Identify the type of force acting when a spring is neither compressed nor stretched.

Answer: No force (equilibrium). Spring is at its natural length with zero displacement.

Flashcard 28: Find the spring constant for $F_s = 30 \, N$ and $x = 0.15 \, m$.

Answer: $k = 200 \, N/m$. From $k = \frac{F_s}{x} = \frac{30}{0.15} = 200$ N/m.

Flashcard 29: Identify the variable representing displacement in Hooke's Law.

Answer: $x$. Distance from equilibrium position, positive or negative.

Flashcard 30: What is the maximum force a spring can exert when fully stretched?

Answer: Force at maximum displacement. Occurs at maximum displacement from equilibrium.