Force on Series of Springs: Does It Equal Sum?

[ownsail]

If two springs, having different spring constants, are in a series (lined up, NOT parrallel): is the Force pulling the spring = (sum of spring constants)*(distance stretched) ?

 

[phucnv87]

No, no. If the force apply to the 1^{st} spring, the equation will be

F=k_1\Delta l_1[/color]

 

[ownsail]

so the same force is applied to both springs?

 

[ownsail]

in other words, if F = kx:
F=(k1)(x1)
and
F=(k2)(x2)

but not F=(k1+k2)(x1+x2)

 

[phucnv87]

That's right, and the equivalent constant is

\frac{1}{k}=\frac{1}{k_1}+\frac{1}{k_2}+...+\frac{1}{k_n}[/color]