AP Physics C: Mechanics Flashcards: Spring Forces
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
In Hooke's Law ($\vec{F}_{s}=-k\Delta\vec{x}$), what does the negative sign signify?
The negative sign indicates that the spring force is a restoring force, meaning it always acts in the direction opposite to the object's displacement from its equilibrium position.
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In Hooke's Law ($\vec{F}_{s}=-k\Delta\vec{x}$), what does the negative sign signify?
The negative sign indicates that the spring force is a restoring force, meaning it always acts in the direction opposite to the object's displacement from its equilibrium position.
Does arranging springs in series create a system that is stiffer or less stiff than the stiffest individual spring?
Arranging springs in series creates a system that is less stiff, as the equivalent spring constant will always be less than the smallest individual spring constant.
An ideal spring with constant $k$ is stretched a distance $\Delta x$. What is the magnitude of the force the spring exerts on the object attached to it?
According to Hooke's Law, the magnitude of the force exerted by the spring is $F_s = k|\Delta x|$.
Two springs with constants $k_1 = 200$ N/m and $k_2 = 300$ N/m are connected in series. What is their equivalent spring constant?
The equivalent spring constant is 120 N/m, calculated using the formula $\frac{1}{k_{eq}} = \frac{1}{200} + \frac{1}{300}$.
Two springs with constants $k_1$ and $k_2$ are attached to a block in parallel. What is their effective spring constant, $k_{eq}$?
The effective spring constant is the sum of the individual constants, so $k_{eq} = k_1 + k_2$.
How is the equivalent spring constant calculated for a set of springs arranged in parallel?
For springs in parallel, the equivalent spring constant is the sum of the individual spring constants: $k_{eq,parallel}=\sum_{i}k_{i}$.
What is Hooke's Law?
Hooke's Law describes the magnitude of the force exerted by an ideal spring on an object, given by the equation $\vec{F}_{s}=-k\Delta\vec{x}$.
Does arranging springs in parallel create a system that is stiffer or less stiff than the individual springs?
Arranging springs in parallel creates a stiffer system because the equivalent spring constant is the sum of the individual constants, resulting in a larger k-value.
What is the term for the force exerted on an object by an ideal spring?
The force exerted on an object by an ideal spring is a restoring force that opposes the displacement from equilibrium.
How is the equivalent spring constant calculated for a set of springs arranged in series?
For springs in series, the inverse of the equivalent spring constant is the sum of the inverses of the individual spring constants: $\frac{1}{k_{eq,series}}=\sum_{i}\frac{1}{k_{i}}$.