Hooke's law The law, named after Robert Hooke, which describes the behaviour of perfectly elastic materials in terms of a straight-line relationship between stress and strain in such materials. Strain is directly proportional to the applied stress provided the medium remains elastic (i.e. the elastic limit is not exceeded); stress is equal to the strain multiplied by a constant of elasticity (Young's modulus). The law also states that stress divided by strain is a constant. See also ELASTIC CONSTANTS.

Hooke's law Law applying to an elastic material when it is stretched. The law states that the stress (internal tension) is proportional to the strain (a change in dimensions). Robert Hooke discovered the relationship in 1676. See also elasticity