Article about the Springs in series and parallel
1. Springs in series
If the spring is connected in series, as in the figure on the side, then:
1. The increase in the length of spring = the increase in length 1 + the increase in length 2
Δy = Δy1 + Δy1
2. The force experienced by equivalent spring = the force experienced by spring 1 = the force experienced by spring 2
Fs = F1 = F2
3. The equivalent spring’s constant (ks)
1/ks = 1/k1 + 1/k2
Sample problem 1:
Two identical springs each have a constant of 100 N / m connected in series. If the spring’s arrangement is given a load so that it increases 4 cm in length, then the increase in the length of each spring is …
Solution:
The total increase in the length of the two springs is 4 cm, therefore the increase in the length of each spring is 2 cm.
2. Springs in parallel
If the spring is connected in parallel, as in the figure on the side, then:
1. The increase in the length of the equivalent spring = the increase in the length of spring 1 = the increase in the length of spring 2
Δy = Δy1 + Δy1
2. The force experienced by the equivalent spring = the force that is experienced by spring 1 + the force experienced by spring 2
Fs = F1 + F2
3. The equivalent spring’s constant (kp)
kp = k1 + k2
Sample problem 2:
Two springs each with constant c arranged in parallel. The spring constant of this arrangement becomes …
Solution:
The equivalent spring’s constant (kp) = c + c = 2c