# A student stretches a spring by hanging masses from it. At first, the spring obeys Hooke's Law, but after adding too many masses, it no longer does. Explain what Hooke's Law states and describe what happens to the spring's behaviour once the elastic limit has been exceeded.

> Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0) — 15.1 Forces and matter (Phys only) · Explain · 4 marks

> A student is investigating how the extension of a spring changes as more force is applied to it by adding masses one at a time.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Hooke's Law states that the extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied to it
2. Hooke's Law only applies up to the limit of proportionality
3. Beyond the elastic limit the spring undergoes plastic distortion / deformation
4. The extension is no longer directly proportional to the force applied (after the elastic limit)

## Key terms

- [Hooke's Law](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/hooke-s-law)
- [elastic limit](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/elastic-limit)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-stretches-a-spring-by-4beca938) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.