NEWTON'S LAW FORCE & FRICTION Equivalent spring constant When two or more springs are connected in some manner then the combination can be replaced by a ~ single equivalent spring such tha it produces sqme elongation forsame applied foree. Parallel combination : ‘When springs are connected in parallel, then we can replace them by single spring of spring constant k, where k,, =k, +k,, This situation is shown in figure. Here we present the proof. - Ifthe force F pulls the mass m by y, the stretch in each spring will be same. int Novr for an equivalent spring Fk, x yand as spring constants are not equal so F, #F, For equivalence, : k, this reduces to k,=k, +k, For more springs k =k, +k, + + sn Series combination When spring are connected insris then we can replace them bya single spring of spring constant k, where I/k,,=1/k, + 1/k,, This situation is shown in figure, Here we present the proof. As the spring are massless, so force in the spring will be the same F, F Now for equivalent spring F =, y, as spring constants are not equal so extensions will notbe equal, but total extension y can be written as sum of two extensions y=y, +y, F F F a Formore than two springs Connected in series: k, k Lt, {et -sem> F Parts ofa spring : {fa spring of force constant k of length [i cut in two parts say of, and, let us assume that new force cofistants are k, and k, for the two parts. If we connect these two pars in series, the equivalent force constant must be initial k. Thus we have : 1 1 i ct According tothe molecular properties ofa spring the force constant of. part ofthe spring is inversely proportional o its length, which gives us : ; c k=* ae and ‘Where es a positive constant depending upon the material of spring, Substituting the above values of new force constants k, and k, in equation, we get