Hooke's Law is a linear representation that, in equation form, looks like this:
F = -kΔx where F is force, k is the spring constant, and Δx is the displacement of the spring when a Force is applied to it in the form of a mass hanging on the end of it. We need to use the equation to solve for the spring constant, k. Doing this by filling in the values we were given:
4 = -k(-12) the 12 is negative because the mass hangs below the point of equilibrium. This gives us that
k = 1/3. Now we'll use that in the next equation where we need to solve for displacement:
