Effect of Two Springs on an Object

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Homework Statement


The spring in the figure (link 1) (a)is compressed by length [tex]\Delta[/tex]x. It launches the block across a frictionless surface with speed v0. The two springs in the figure (link 2) (b) are identical to the spring of the figure . They are compressed by the same length [tex]\Delta[/tex]x and used to launch the same block. What is the block's speed now?
picture1: http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1000762/5/knight_Figure_10_38a.jpg

picture 2: http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1000762/5/knight_Figure_10_38b.jpg

Homework Equations


Fsp = -k[tex]\Delta[/tex]s
Us = 1/2 k([tex]\Delta[/tex]s)2
K = 1/2 mv2

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not sure what the effect of two springs would be, but in terms of V0 I feel like it might be 2V0, but that seems to easy.
 
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jemstone said:

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not sure what the effect of two springs would be, but in terms of V0 I feel like it might be 2V0, but that seems to easy.

Try making some substitutions using the equations you quoted to see if your feeling is right or not.
 
What do you think happens to the force on the block?
 
Ok I figured it out! I plugged in all the numbers and found that it is sqr(2)v

thanks!