The spring force is a variable force since it becomes larger as the spring is stretched or compressed from equilibrium. What is the basic relation between the x component of the spring force Fx, the spring constant k, and the displacement from equilibrium Δx = x-xeq?
Fx = -k
Fx = kx^2/2
Fx = -k(x-xeq)
Fx = +k(x-xeq)