Spring Constants and Work Done

Flashcards on spring constants in series and parallel combinations, and work done on a spring.

Work Done on a Spring

Area under the force versus extension graph.

Work Done Formula (General)

1/2 * Force * Extension

Work Done Formula (Spring)

1/2 * Spring Constant * Extension squared

Springs in Series

When two springs are connected end-to-end.

Effect of Series Connection on Spring Constant

The effective spring constant decreases.

Effective Spring Constant (Series, Identical Springs)

k/n, where n is the number of identical springs.

Springs in Parallel

When springs are connected side-by-side.

Effect of Parallel Connection

The system becomes stiffer; the total force is divided among the springs; the extension of each spring decreases.

Effective Spring Constant (Parallel, Identical Springs)

nk, where n is the number of identical springs.