Final answer:
The extent a spring compresses or stretches is directly related to the applied force as described by Hooke's law, with the proportionality given by the spring's force constant (k).
Step-by-step explanation:
The extent to which a spring will compress or stretch is directly related to the applied force. This relationship is known as Hooke's law, which states that the deformation (extension or compression) of the spring is proportional to the force applied to it. In the linear limit of low stress values, the general relation between stress and strain is given by Equation 12.33, which denotes that stress is directly proportional to strain until a linearity limit is reached. A spring's stiffness can be described by its force constant k, which has units of newtons per meter (N/m).