I was just wondering how the value of a spring constant would change if gravity were increased. Agreeing that gravity is 9.8 m/$s^2$, if, for example, gravity was changed to 15 m/$s^2$ with nothing else to consider in altering a spring constant, how would the spring constant change? Would it increase, decrease, or stay the same with an increased value of gravity? And how does that relate to Hooke's Law?
I personally think that it would be harder to compress and easier to expand springs since gravity would more so pull down on things more, allowing for springs to be pulled down and expanded more easily.
Best Answer
The spring constant depends on the material and geometry and not a net effect of other environmental factors (ignoring temperature dependence). It measures the stiffness of the spring.