Question

Each of two identical springs will stretch 12 cm when a 250-g mass is hung on them. If the two springs are hung side by side and both support the 250-g mass, how much will each spring stretch?

Answer 1

@phi

Answer 2

it sounds like each spring will support 1/2 the weight. Because they follow Hooke's Law, they will stretch 1/2 as much as when they have to support the whole weight.

Answer 3

so the formula?

Answer 4

@phi

Answer 5

The formula is written
F= k x
where F is the force , x is the distance stretched, and k is the "spring constant"

Answer 6

F= 250*20

Answer 7

@phi

Answer 8

Force is mass times acceleration. in this case, it is the force due to gravity, and it is
F= mass * g (g is 9.8 m/s^2)

so you could say
250*g = k * 0.12 m
and k= 250*g/0.12

next, if you use 2 springs, each will support one half of the force, so you have
125*g = k x
using the k = 250*g/0.12
you can solve for x

you should find x= 0.06 meters = 6 cm