- Sections
- A. General Materials & Mathematics
- B. Statics
- C. Kinematics & Dynamics
- D. Rotational Mechanics
- E. Gravitation & Astronomy
- F. Fluid Mechanics
- G. Vibrations & Mechanical Waves
- H. Sound
- I. Thermodynamics
- J. Electrostatics & Magnetostatics
- K. Electromagnetic Principles
- L. Geometrical Optics
- M. Wave Optics
- N. Spectra & Color
- O. Vision
- P. Modern Physics
Spring And String Thing
Purpose
To illustrate series and parallel springs in a counterintuitive way.
Equipment
As photographed.
Suggestions
Let your students vote before doing the experiment.
Images
Description
Two springs connected in series support a weight. Strings slightly longer than the springs are connected in parallel with each spring, as photographed. The connecting wire loop between the two springs is then removed, forming two separate parallel routes, each consisting of a spring and a string in series. Comparing the final configuration with the initial configuration, will the weight be higher, lower, or at the same vertical position?◙
References
(PIRA unavailable.) See Demonstration Reference File for interesting applications of this experiment to traffic flow and electronic circuits.◙
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See pagesb1. center of mass statics
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See pagesb2. equilibrium of forces & torques
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See pagesb3. simple machines
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See pagesb4. elasticity
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See pagesb1. center of mass statics
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See pagesb2. equilibrium of forces & torques
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See pagesb3. simple machines
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See pagesb4. elasticity