• Question: Why are springs so bouncy?

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      Asked by Babychonk to Martin, Elizabeth on 17 Mar 2015.
      • Photo: Martin Ward

        Martin Ward answered on 17 Mar 2015:


        its to do with 1) what the spring is made from, and 2) the shape of the spring. For a spring to work we need a strong material (like a metal) that is a little flexible but remains strong/rigid. This means that when you push down the spring the spring will then bounce back to its original shape. If the material used to make the spring is too soft, then you will bend it when you push it and it wont be able to bounce back. If the material is also too hard, then you wont be able to push it down at all.

      • Photo: Elizabeth Cooper

        Elizabeth Cooper answered on 19 Mar 2015:


        When a coil spring is pushed together the force of which it is pushed together pushes the spring back out creating the bouncy effect. The material needs to be strong so that the shape is not changed or it snaps when it is pushed down (generally metal is used).

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