Springs connected in series have an equivalent spring constant (k') that is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual spring constants. Springs connected in parallel have an equivalent spring constant (k') that is equal to the sum of the individual spring constants. Two examples shown are also considered to be springs in parallel even though it may not be obvious, because in both cases the total displacement is equal between springs and the total force is the sum of the individual spring forces.
Springs connected in series have an equivalent spring constant (k') that is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual spring constants. Springs connected in parallel have an equivalent spring constant (k') that is equal to the sum of the individual spring constants. Two examples shown are also considered to be springs in parallel even though it may not be obvious, because in both cases the total displacement is equal between springs and the total force is the sum of the individual spring forces.
Springs connected in series have an equivalent spring constant (k') that is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual spring constants. Springs connected in parallel have an equivalent spring constant (k') that is equal to the sum of the individual spring constants. Two examples shown are also considered to be springs in parallel even though it may not be obvious, because in both cases the total displacement is equal between springs and the total force is the sum of the individual spring forces.
Springs connected in series have an equivalent spring constant (k') that is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual spring constants. Springs connected in parallel have an equivalent spring constant (k') that is equal to the sum of the individual spring constants. Two examples shown are also considered to be springs in parallel even though it may not be obvious, because in both cases the total displacement is equal between springs and the total force is the sum of the individual spring forces.
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Equivalent Spring Constants in Series and Parallel
Combinations
Springs in series:
Solution:
To find the equivalent spring constant k', we imagine a force Ftotal
pulling to the right in the diagram above. The tension in the two sections of springs (F1 and F2) must be the same otherwise the springs would buckle. Also the total displacement of the spring combo must be due to the contribution of each springs displacement. So:
Ftotal = F1 = F2 and Δxtotal = Δx1 + Δx2
now we also know for every spring,
F x k So: F total F 1 F 2 k k1 k2
canceling out the forces since they
are all equal we get:
1 1 1 k k1 k2
or:
k 1k 2 k k1 k2 Springs in parallel:
Solution:
To find the equivalent spring constant k', we imagine a force pulling
down on the object in the diagram above. The total force down must be equal to the sum of both spring forces pulling back. Also, if the object being pulled moves uniformly, its total displacement must be equal to each individual spring's displacement. So:
Ftotal = F1 + F2 and Δxtotal = Δx1 = Δx2
and for every spring,
F = k Δx
So:
k'Δxtotal = k1 Δx1 + k2 Δx2
canceling out the Δx's since they are all equal we get:
k' = k1 + k2 Other Parallel Combinations:
Although it may not be obvious at first, the two combinations shown
above are also springs in parallel.
Solution:
For the diagram on the left, imagine a force pushing the mass to the right. As the mass moves a total displacement, the spring on the left is stretched by an equal amount. At the same time, the spring on the right is compressed by the same displacement. Also, each spring exerts its own force on the mass. Spring 1 pulls to the left due to the stretching, and spring 2 pushes to the left due to the compression. Therefore the total force on the mass is due to the sum of the two forces. So:
Ftotal = F1 + F2 and: Δxtotal = Δx1 = - Δx2
let Δx1 = Δx and Δx2 = - Δx
and for every spring,
F = k Δx
So, taking positive displacement and force to the right:
Ftotal = - k'Δxtotal = -k1 Δx1 - (-k2 Δx2)
- k'Δx = -k1 Δx + k2(-Δx)
canceling out all the Δx's we get:
k' = k1 + k2
Likewise, for the diagram to the right above, spring 2 must be
compressed by the same amount as spring 1 and the total force on the mass must be due to the sum of the forces from both of the springs. This results in the equivalent spring constant k' as shown for a parallel combination.
