Spiral springs are mechanical devices that store energy and release it when needed. They are made from coiled metal and can be found in various applications, such as clocks, toys, and machinery. When twisted or compressed, the spring stores potential energy, which is released as kinetic energy when it returns to its original shape. These springs operate based on Hooke's Law, which states that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to its displacement. Spiral springs are commonly used in watches and automated mechanisms due to their ability to provide consistent and reliable motion over time.