What is the spring force according to Hooke's Law?

According to Hooke's Law, the spring force is defined as the negative product of the spring constant and the displacement from the equilibrium position. This law states that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to the distance it is stretched or compressed from its natural length, and the direction of the force is always opposite to that of the displacement.

The negative sign in the formula indicates that the spring force acts in the opposite direction of the applied force that is causing the deformation. This characteristic of the spring force is fundamental to maintaining equilibrium and ensuring that the spring will return to its original position once the external force is removed.

In contrast, other options do not correctly represent the relationship described by Hooke's Law. For instance, simply multiplying the spring constant by displacement does not account for the direction of the force. Likewise, dividing the spring constant by displacement or displacement by the spring constant misrepresents the proportional relationship and the nature of the forces involved. Understanding this principle is crucial for applications in mechanics and various engineering scenarios where spring systems are utilized.