Q. A spring (spring constant =$k$) is cut into 4 equal parts and two parts are connected in parallel. What is the effective spring constant?
A) $4\ k$
B) $16\ k$
C) $8\ k$
D) $6\ k$
Explanation
(c) If a spring of spring constant $k$ is divided into $n$ equal parts, the spring constant of each part becomes $nk$. So, effective spring constant
$k = k_{1} + k_{2}$
$= 4k + 4k = 8k$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.