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AP Physics C: Mechanics
2.8 Spring Forces
IntermediateMCQMathematicalProportional Analysis21.1k
Two spring arrangements supporting identical hanging loads.
Two spring arrangements supporting identical hanging loads.
Two ideal, massless springs have spring constants \(k_1 = k\) and \(k_2 = 2k\). In Scenario 1, the two springs are connected in series end-to-end to support a hanging block of weight \(W\) in static equilibrium. In Scenario 2, the same two springs are connected in parallel side-by-side to support the same hanging block of weight \(W\) in static equilibrium with equal stretch in both springs. What is the ratio \(\dfrac{\Delta x_{\text{series}}}{\Delta x_{\text{parallel}}}\) of the total extension of the springs in Scenario 1 to the total extension in Scenario 2?

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