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explanation of sign
'''Hooke's Law''' states that the force exerted by a stretched or compressed spring is a restoring force and is linearly proportional to the distance that the spring is stretched or compressed beyond its relaxed length. The formula for Hooke's law is <math> \vec F = -k \vec x </math> where k is the spring stiffness constant which has units of newtons per [[meter]] and <math> \vec x </math> is the displacement from the equilibrium position.
'''Hooke's Law''' states that the force exerted by a stretched or compressed spring is a restoring force and is linearly proportional to the distance that the spring is stretched or compressed beyond its relaxed length. The formula for Hooke's law is <math> \vec F = -k \vec x </math> where k is the spring stiffness constant which has units of newtons per [[meter]] and <math> \vec x </math> is the displacement from the equilibrium position.
The negative sign here is to indicate that the force is in the direction opposite the displacement. For example, if <math>\vec x</math> is to the right, then <math>-k \vec x</math> is to the left, indicating that the mass is pulled back towards the spring.
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:Physics]]