Final answer:
The force constant of the spring is 1225 N/m.
Step-by-step explanation:
The force constant of a spring can be determined using Hooke's law, which states that the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to its displacement from its equilibrium position. The formula for Hooke's law is F = -kx, where F is the force exerted by the spring, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement from equilibrium. In this case, we can use the information given to solve for the spring constant.
To find the spring constant, we can use the equation:
k = F / x
Given that the spring stretches 8.00 cm for a 10.0 kg load, and the displacement x is given in meters, we need to convert the displacement to meters:
x = 8.00 cm = 0.08 m
Substituting the values we have:
k = 10.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 / 0.08 m = 1225 N/m
Therefore, the force constant of the spring is 1225 N/m.