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AP Physics C: Mechanics
2.8 Spring Forces
2.5 Newton’s Second Law
2.3 Newton’s Third Law
2.2 Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
IntermediateMCQMathematicalConceptual21.2k
Three pulley and spring configurations.
Three pulley and spring configurations.
Three experimental setups each contain an identical ideal spring of negligible mass, ideal massless strings, and ideal frictionless pulleys, as shown in the diagram.

  • In Setup 1, a block of mass \(M\) hangs vertically at rest from the spring.
  • In Setup 2, a block of mass \(M\) on a frictionless horizontal surface is connected via the spring and string to a hanging block of mass \(M\), and the system is released from rest.
  • In Setup 3, a block of mass \(M\) and a block of mass \(3M\) hang from opposite ends of a string containing the spring, and the system is released from rest.

After release, all moving blocks accelerate freely. Which of the following correctly ranks the magnitude of the tension force \(F_s\) exerted on the spring in each setup?

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