The spring constant is a measure of a spring's stiffness, denoted by the symbol k . It quantifies how much force is needed to stretch or compress a spring by a certain distance. A higher spring constant indicates a stiffer spring, while a lower spring constant means the spring is more flexible. The relationship between force and displacement in a spring is described by Hooke's Law, which states that the force exerted by the spring is proportional to the displacement from its equilibrium position. In mathematical terms, Hooke's Law is expressed as F = -kx , where F is the force applied, x is the displacement, and k is the spring constant. This principle is widely used in various fields, including engineering and physics, to analyze the behavior of springs in different applications, such as in mechanical systems and automobiles. Understanding the spring constant helps in designing systems that rely on elastic materials.