Glossary: Spring constant simply explained

The spring constant is a physical parameter that describes the stiffness of a spring. It indicates how much force is required to stretch or compress the spring by one unit. The spring constant is measured in Newtons per metre (N/m). A higher spring constant means that the spring is stiffer and requires more force to stretch or compress it, while a lower spring constant indicates a softer spring. Precise knowledge of the spring constant is crucial for the design of spring systems in various applications, from automotive chassis to industrial machinery.