Final answer:
The statement that real mechanical systems may involve deflection of nonlinear springs is true; nonlinear springs do not behave according to Hooke's law as they have a non-constant force-displacement relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that real mechanical systems may involve the deflection of nonlinear springs is True. Nonlinear springs do not follow Hooke's law, which states that the force needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance is proportional to that distance. Instead, as nonlinear springs are compressed or extended, the force required to change their length increases or decreases at a non-constant rate, making the relationship between force and displacement nonlinear. This is common in various applications where springs are designed to absorb different amounts of energy at different compressions or extensions, leading to various uses in mechanical systems.