When the spring is extended by 44.5 cm - 34.0 cm = 10.5 cm = 0.105 m, it exerts a restoring force with magnitude R such that the net force on the mass is
∑ F = R - mg = 0
where mg = weight of the mass = (7.00 kg) g = 68.6 N.
It follows that R = 68.6 N, and by Hooke's law, the spring constant is k such that
k (0.105 m) = 68.6 N ⇒ k = (68.6 N) / (0.105 m) ≈ 653 N/m
