Combinations of Springs Springs in Series - Consider two springs with force constants k1 and k2 connected in series supporting a load

F = mg. - Let the force constant of the combination be represented by k - For the combination, supporting the load F=mg: k1 F = kx ( where x = the total stretch ) and
x= F k
k2

- For each spring - the bottom supports mg=F and stretches by x1

F = k1 x1

F or x1 = k1

- the top spring support mg plus the weight of the bottom spring (which is negligible Thus F is the stretching force for both springs)
F = k2 x2 or x2 =

F k2 F F F = + k k1 k2

F = mg

- The total stretch

x = x1 + x2

or

and

1 1 1 = + k k1 k2

Springs in Parallel - Consider two springs with force constants k1 and k2 connected in parallel supporting a load F = mg. - Let the force constant of the combination be represented by k - For the combination supporting the load F=mg: k1 k2 F = kx ( where x = the total stretch ) - The two individual springs both stretch by x but share the load (F = F1+F2) and F1 = k1 x while F2 = k2 x - Thus the total force is F = F1 + F2 or and
k = k1 + k2 kx = k1 x + k2 x

F2

F2

F = mg