Springs in Parallel

Part of the Mechanics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 56 of 94.

Two springs side by side, holding the same load, are in parallel. Both stretch by the same amount and their forces add.

Two springs k1 and k2 side by side below a ceiling, both attached to the same block, whose weight mg pulls down; both springs stretch by the same x below their natural length, marked by a dashed line

In parallel: both springs stretch by the same x, and their forces add.

The pair acts like one stiffer spring:

k = k1 + k2

Two identical springs in parallel have twice the spring constant of one.

Challenge

A 2 kg bird feeder hangs at rest from two identical springs side by side. Both springs stretch 0.05 m. Find the spring constant k of each spring.

Try it yourself

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Mechanics

1Vectors and Newton's Laws

Right Triangles What is a Vector?Adding Vectors Axes and Directions Vector Components Forces Around Us Friction and Tension Newton's First Law Newton's Second Law Newton's Third Law Recap - Net Force

4Kinematics in 1D

Position and Displacement Velocity Acceleration Motion Graphs Equations of Motion Recap - Braking Car

7Kinematics and Newton

From Forces to Motion From Motion to Forces Two-Stage Motion Recap - Elevator

10Springs

Hooke's Law Springs in SeriesSprings in ParallelRecap - Spring Scale

13Momentum in 2D

Momentum as a Vector 2D Collisions Explosions Recap - Billiards

16Gravitation

Law of Gravitation Gravity and Altitude Satellites Kepler's Laws Gravitational Energy Escape Velocity Satellite Energy Recap - Mission to Orbit

2Friction

What is Friction?Static Friction Kinetic Friction Friction and Newton's Laws Recap - Sliding Crate

5Vertical Motion

Free Fall Throwing Upward Time in the Air Recap - Dropped Ball

8Project: Delivery Drone

Mission Briefing Takeoff Thrust Climb to Altitude Cruise and Brake Package Drop

11Elastic Energy

Elastic Potential Energy Spring Launchers Energy with Springs Recap - Spring Launcher

14Circular Motion

Uniform Circular Motion Centripetal Acceleration Horizontal Circles Vertical Circles Loop the Loop Recap - Car on a Curve

17Final Challenges

Recap - Stunt Ramp Recap - Crash Test Recap - Space Probe

3Inclined Planes

Forces on an Incline Gravity Components Frictionless Incline Incline with Friction Will It Slide?Recap - Ramp Challenge

6Projectile Motion

Independent Axes Horizontal Launch Launch at an Angle Range and Max Height Recap - Hit the Target

9Work and Energy

Work Kinetic Energy Work-Energy Theorem Gravitational PE Conservation of Energy Power Recap - Roller Coaster

12Impulse and Momentum

Momentum Impulse Conservation of Momentum Elastic Collisions Inelastic Collisions Recap - Air Track

15Simple Harmonic Motion

What is SHM?Mass on a Spring The Pendulum SHM Graphs Energy in SHM Recap - Oscillator