ELI5: What is a spring?

Imagine you have a slinky, that wiggly toy that walks down stairs. A spring is kind of like that, but usually made of metal.

Think of it like this:

• It's a special piece of metal (or sometimes plastic) that can be squished or stretched.
• When you stop squishing or stretching it, it goes back to its original shape. It bounces back!

• Inside a pen: When you click the pen, a tiny spring pushes the pen tip out. Click again, the spring pushes it back in.
• In your bed: Mattresses often have lots of springs inside to make them comfy and bouncy.
• In a car's suspension: Springs help the car ride smoothly over bumps. They absorb the bumps so you don't feel them as much.
• In a clothespin: The spring makes the clothespin grip your clothes tightly.
• Toys: Many toys use springs to make them jump, move, or make noises.

1. Can be bent or stretched.
2. Stores energy when it's bent or stretched.
3. Releases that energy to return to its original shape.