0% found this document useful (0 votes)
78 views4 pages

Spring Combinations

This document discusses equivalent spring constants for springs arranged in series and parallel configurations. It states that for springs in series, the reciprocal of the equivalent spring constant is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of the individual spring constants. For springs in parallel, the equivalent spring constant is equal to the sum of the individual spring constants. It also explains that combinations of springs that may not appear to be parallel configurations can still be treated as such by considering the forces and displacements of the individual springs.

Uploaded by

Omoshola Bright
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
78 views4 pages

Spring Combinations

This document discusses equivalent spring constants for springs arranged in series and parallel configurations. It states that for springs in series, the reciprocal of the equivalent spring constant is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of the individual spring constants. For springs in parallel, the equivalent spring constant is equal to the sum of the individual spring constants. It also explains that combinations of springs that may not appear to be parallel configurations can still be treated as such by considering the forces and displacements of the individual springs.

Uploaded by

Omoshola Bright
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

1Equivalent Spring Constants in Series and Parallel

Combinations Springs in series:

Solution:
To find the equivalent spring constant k', we imagine a force Ftotal pulling to the right in the diagram above. The tension in the two sections of springs (F1 and F2) must be the same otherwise the springs would buckle. Also the total displacement of the spring combo must be due to the contribution of each springs displacement. So: Ftotal = F1 = F2 and xtotal = x1 + x2

now we also know for every spring,


x F k

So:

F total F 1 F 2 k k1 k2

canceling out the forces since they are all equal we get:
1 1 1 k k1 k2

or:

k 1k 2 k 1 k 2

Springs in parallel:

Solution:
To find the equivalent spring constant k', we imagine a force pulling down on the object in the diagram above. The total force down must be equal to the sum of both spring forces pulling back. Also, if the object being pulled moves uniformly, its total displacement must be equal to each individual spring's displacement. So: Ftotal = F1 + F2 and xtotal = x1 = x2

and for every spring, F = k x So: k'xtotal = k1 x1 + k2 x2 canceling out the x's since they are all equal we get: k' = k1 + k2

Other Parallel Combinations:

Although it may not be obvious at first, the two combinations shown above are also springs in parallel.

Solution:
For the diagram on the left, imagine a force pushing the mass to the right. As the mass moves a total displacement, the spring on the left is stretched by an equal amount. At the same time, the spring on the right is compressed by the same displacement. Also, each spring exerts its own force on the mass. Spring 1 pulls to the left due to the stretching, and spring 2 pushes to the left due to the compression. Therefore the total force on the mass is due to the sum of the two forces. So: Ftotal = F1 + F2 and: xtotal = x1 = - x2

let x1 = x and x2 = - x and for every spring, F = k x So, taking positive displacement and force to the right: Ftotal = - k'xtotal = -k1 x1 - (-k2 x2) - k'x = -k1 x + k2(-x) canceling out all the x's we get: k' = k1 + k2 Likewise, for the diagram to the right above, spring 2 must be compressed by the same amount as spring 1 and the total force on the mass must be due to the sum of the forces from both of the springs.

This results in the equivalent spring constant k' as shown for a parallel combination.

You might also like