How to Calculate the Tension of a Spring?

All springs are constructed to have an initial tension, the force that holds the coil in the set position. As a measurement, the initial tension is the load or force required to overcome the internal force to begin coil separation. How spring tension is calculated and its importance will help determine the efficiency of the spring in a given application. The measurement of how much potential energy is stored in the spring and the force required to deform it must be calculated.

Springs are extraordinary devices, and they are one of the oldest and simplest applications used to store and provide mechanical energy. When a spring is deformed from its free state, i.e. stretched or pulled, the energy stored in the spring, called elastic potential energy (PE), is released. Once the potential energy is released, the spring is designed to return to its original shape after being compressed, stretched, or twisted.

The spring absorbs or releases energy to create resistance to a pulling or pushing force. We know that according to Hooke's law, when a spring is stretched or compressed, the force required will vary in a linear fashion, proportional to its displacement. Hooke observed that the force that compresses or stretches a spring a specified distance is proportional to that distance. To determine the potential energy that a spring has or can provide, a calculation must be made.

The work required to compress or stretch a spring must be converted into energy stored in the spring. As mentioned earlier, the energy stored in a spring when compressing or extending it is called PE (elastic potential energy). PE is equal to the force F multiplied by the distance s and is called the spring force. Since the force exerted by a spring is always in the opposite direction of its displacement, Fs is called the restoring force.

Therefore, expressed in terms of Hooke's law, which states that the Fs required to change the length of the spring is proportional to the spring constant (k) and the displacement of the spring, it is expressed in two equations as

Fs = kx
PE = 1/2 k * x^2

Fs = spring force
k = spring constant (the spring constant (k) is defined as the ratio of the force affecting the spring to the displacement it causes).
x = change in the length of the spring from the starting position
PEs = potential energy of the spring. (x)

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