What is the exact difference between kx and -kx? I know -kx is a proportionality between the restoring force and the displacement. But what about kx? How are they different? My textbook is not doing a very good job of explaining it please help.

Question

anonymous · Answer

kx would be a force in the same direction as the displacement
hypothetically, consider a spring pushing you away(with a force kx) as you pull on it instead of pulling you with a force(-kx)