2.8.B—Describe the equivalent spring constant of a combination of springs exerting forces on an object

Describe the equivalent spring constant of a combination of springs exerting forces on an object.

• A collection of springs that exert forces on an object may behave as though they were a single spring with an equivalent spring constant keq.
  • i. The inverse of the equivalent spring constant of a set of springs in series is equal to the sum of the inverses of the individual spring constants. Derived equation: TOPIC 2.8 Spring Forces
  • ii. The equivalent spring constant of a set of springs arranged in series is smaller than the smallest constituent spring constant.
  • iii. The equivalent spring constant of a set of springs arranged in parallel is the sum of the individual spring constants. Derived equation: BOUNDARY STATEMENT AP Physics C: Mechanics only expects students to find the effective spring constant of systems of springs that are arranged either in series or in parallel and does not expect students to find the effective spring constant of a system in which springs are arranged in both series and parallel.