Spring Constant Notation (N/m)

[Paradigm 29]

I was trying to make a very precise device using a spring and I wanted to do all of the math behind it rather than just use trial and error. Earlier, when I saw N/m it looked innocent enough (probably something I'd just forgotten about physics), but now I'm not too sure it exists. The spring constant is used for calculating potential energy which is measured in joules or Nm, so I could be mistaken.
N/m is the same as saying kg/s/s, which doesn't make any sense to me. I've just been hesitating to post because N/m x m^2 does in fact get Nm. I'm just confusing myself I think.

On wikipedia it says N/m is used to measure surface tension.

eh.

[Dakta]

Erm... Yeah. Springs in Algodoo use Nm because, as the spring gets more compressed, if requires more force to compress it further. So, with Nm, they can more easily calculate that based on the length of the spring. It sounds simple enough.


Uh, while we're asking questions about springs, why can't I make any stronger than 512 Nm? And why do I have to re-enter my license key every time I open Algodoo?

[Paradigm 29]

Dakta, I don't think you understood what I was saying. It sounds like your explaining to me how springs work. I just want to know if the spring constant (k) is supposed to be N/m, or rather if it's proper to give them that notation. It seems like it makes sense, but kg/s^2 is just an odd term to me. I debated with myself whether I should even post the topic.

But you can go higher than 512 N/m. Just type it in.

[Dakta]

Okay, I get what you're saying now...

I guess that it is the correct term.


Erm... Not at all being new to Phun (uh can you say version 3.x?), I know all about typing in values. They just don't stay at what I set them at... Wtf. And about the license thing. I'm going to ask algoryx.

[Paradigm 29]

Well typing it in works for me. I was thinking maybe you forgot

[admin]

According to Hooke's law a spring force is given by,

F = -k x

Here F is the force in unit [N] and x is the distance from equilibrium, measured in [m].
Hence, in units the equation looks like:

[N] = [N/m] [m]

and [N/m] is here then the unit of k, which simply tells us how large the force is as a linear function of the distance from equilibrium.

[macunixgeek]

I had the license key problem too. If you're on Linux, just run Algodoo as root.