Calculating Displacement of a Spring with Two Forces

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SUMMARY

The displacement of a spring subjected to two opposing forces can be calculated by considering the net force acting on the spring. When two forces act on opposite ends, the resultant force is the vector sum of these forces. If the forces are equal, the spring remains in equilibrium; if they differ, the spring will accelerate in the direction of the net force. Understanding Hooke's Law is essential for calculating the displacement accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Hooke's Law
  • Vector addition of forces
  • Basic principles of mechanics
  • Understanding of equilibrium conditions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Hooke's Law and its applications in spring mechanics
  • Learn about vector addition and how to resolve forces
  • Explore dynamics of systems under multiple forces
  • Investigate the concept of equilibrium in mechanical systems
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Students in physics, engineers working with mechanical systems, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of springs under multiple forces.

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Homework Statement


My question is what is the displacement of a spring if the spring is stretched by two forces, each acting on an end of it? I've looked on the internet but I've only found examples where the spring is attached to a ceiling.
Are there two restoring forces acting from opposite directions? Is the resultant force their vectorial sum or do I simply add the values?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I would really appreciate your help on this matter because this is very confusing to me, although I do understand how it works when one end of the spring is fixed.
I hope I explained this clearly because English isn't my first language and hopefully I didn't mess up any of the physics terminology, and I'm really sorry if I did. Thanks in advance!
 
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A spring in tension (or compression) will always have two forces acting on it. You are familiar with the forces being equal and opposite, but they could be different, in which case, the spring would accelerate.
 
Last edited:
Thank you so much! I get it now.
 

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