Springs

When a constant force is applied if a spring is cut into ‘n’ parts,

to a spring block system, the then k.L remains constant.
spring (initially in NATURAL 1 : _1 :_1 ………
k1: k2: k3……..= _
Natural LENGTH) extends. L 1 L 2 L3
length At some extension (say x0) the
if a spring is cut into ‘n’ equal
Here spring force balances the
parts, then k new =nk
extension M external force ( this position is
x=0 · Mg x0
kx0
called MEAN POSITION, but

·
because of inertia the block
2x0 keeps moving.
M
Here By the time the block stops, the
x0
extension Mg 2kx 0 extension in the spring is 2x0.
x = x0
Here M For problem solving we should

m
kx0= Mg
Fnet= 0 extension
Mg · remember that,
if a constant force F is applied, 0
x = 2x 0 m
Fspring 1. net force on block becomes
Fnet= kx 0 = zero at x = F/k. (extension till
= kx0= Mg
Mg (upward) mean position)
(upward) m
Fspring = 2kx 0 = 2Mg 2. block stops at x = 2F/k
(upward) 3. maximum extension in the
in all these cases time
spring can be 2F/k.
period is same, as
4. maximum force that can be
developed in spring is 2F/k T =2 T
m
_
k
Combination of springs :

M Parallel combination
Extension in all springs same. k M1 M2

k eq = k1 + k2+ k3 …
M T =2 T
m
_eq
k
Series combination M1M 2
M
Force in all springs same. meq
M1+ M 2
_ = 1
1 _ +1_+1 _… Fluid (I ) m
k eq k1 k2 k3

V1 V2 m
- - T =2 T

if this system is observed k +I Ag

M1 M2
from com frame, then V of
01
com becomes zero. So it
02
M1V1 + M 2V2 behaves as a fixed point.
Vcom = k1cos201
M1 + M 2 w.r.t. com, the two blocks k2cos202
appear as if they are k1
take ‘V’ with sign k2
doing SHM separately. m
V1 Vcom V2 Vcom * m
- ·

M1 M2 k convert into this format

k
Take cos2 0 or sin 2 0,
or according to angle
V1 Vcom V2 Vcom
· - given
M2 k eq = k1cos201+ k2cos202 + k
M1

T =2 T
m
_
keq
in com frame velocity of the two blocks will be zero at
maximum compression and maximum expansion.
Means at maximum compression and maximum expansion, k
k
velocities of the blocks are same as that of com in
ground frame.
- -

loss of kinetic energy from natural k m

length to maximum compression or -

expansion = energy stored in spring =

1 M1M 2 2
_ T =2 m
_ m m
2 M1+ M 2 Vrel
T

k
M1M 2 also called reduced mass
M1+ M 2 of the system ( u ) T =2 m
_
T = 2 4m
T

_ T 4k
k