Chapter 4, Problem 62P

Two springs have the same unstretched length but different spring constants, k₁ and k₂. (a) If they’re connected side by side and stretched a distance x, as shown in Fig. 4.25a, show that the force exerted by the combination is (k₁ + k₂)x. (b) If they’re connected end to end (Fig. 4.25b) and the combination is stretched a distance show that they exert a force k₁k₂x/(k₁ + k₂).

FIGURE 42.5 Problem 62