Question

1. Define the term spring constant K. 
2. The three springs shown below are identical and have negligible weight. The extension produced on the system of the is 20cm.
   
   Determine spring constant of each spring. 

Answer 1

1. Measure of stiffness of an elastic material or ratio of force to extension of an elastic material
2. Parallel → F=2ke₁ => 40 = ke₁ => e1 = ²⁰/_k
   Single → F = 2ke₂ => 20 = ke₂ => e2 = ²⁰/_k
   eT = e1 + e2 =>²⁰/_k= ²⁰/_k+ ²⁰/_k= ⁴⁰/_k = k = 2N/cm
   extension of each spring = 10, k = ^20N/_10cm
   = 2N/cm