Springs in Parallel
Part of the Mechanics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 59 of 97.
Two springs side by side, holding the same load, are in parallel. Both stretch by the same amount and their forces add.
In parallel: both springs stretch by the same x, and their forces add.
The pair acts like one stiffer spring:
Two identical springs in parallel have twice the spring constant of one.
Challenge
A bird feeder hangs at rest from two identical springs side by side. Both springs stretch . Find the spring constant of each spring.
Try it yourself
Solve for
This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Mechanics
4Inclined Planes
Forces on an InclineGravity ComponentsFrictionless InclineIncline with FrictionWill It Slide?Recap - Ramp Challenge7Projectile Motion
Independent AxesHorizontal LaunchLaunch at an AngleRange and Max HeightRecap - Hit the Target10Work and Energy
WorkKinetic EnergyWork-Energy TheoremGravitational PEConservation of EnergyPowerRecap - Roller Coaster13Impulse and Momentum
MomentumImpulseConservation of MomentumElastic CollisionsInelastic CollisionsRecap - Air Track16Simple Harmonic Motion
What is SHM?Mass on a SpringThe PendulumSHM GraphsEnergy in SHMRecap - Oscillator2Vectors and Newton's Laws
Right TrianglesWhat is a Vector?Adding VectorsAxes and DirectionsVector ComponentsForces Around UsFriction and TensionNewton's First LawNewton's Second LawNewton's Third LawRecap - Net Force