- #1
sillybean
- 18
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Homework Statement
Two springs, with force constants k1 and k2, are connected in series, as shown in the figure
How much work is required to stretch this system a distance x from the equilibrium position?
Homework Equations
W=1/2kx^2
The Attempt at a Solution
I have no idea how to derive this. I mean I've looked on the wikipedia article on hooke's law and figured that I just change the equation to W=1/2 (1/k1 + 1/k2)x^2
I'm guessing the problem with this is that the distances that the two stretch are not equal because of the different spring constants but I don't know how to go about showing this in an equation.