---
title: "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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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120582/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T04:41:42+00:00"
---

# 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?

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?

![Three side-by-side diagrams labeled Setup 1, Setup 2, and Setup 3. Setup 1 shows a horizontal hatched ceiling from which a vertical coiled spring extends downward, attached to the top of a square block labeled M. Setup 2 shows a horizontal surface supporting a square block labeled M attached to a horizontal coiled spring; a thin line extends from the spring over a small circular pulley at the corner of the surface and drops vertically to a hanging square block labeled M. Setup 3 shows a small circular pulley supported from a hatched ceiling; a string loops over the pulley with its left side containing a vertical coiled spring attached to a hanging square block labeled M, and its right side attached directly to a larger square block labeled 3M. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787460102-ZdQsRD.jpg)

- **A.** \(F_{s,3} > F_{s,1} > F_{s,2}\)
- **B.** \(F_{s,1} > F_{s,3} > F_{s,2}\)
- **C.** \(F_{s,1} = F_{s,2} > F_{s,3}\)
- **D.** \(F_{s,3} > F_{s,2} > F_{s,1}\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120582/*