Question

A block of mass m, connected to two springs of spring constants k₁ and k₂ as shown, oscillates on a smooth horizontal surface. What is the effective spring constant of the oscillation?

Answer 1

The springs are in parallel. F = − k₁x − k₂x = − (k₁ + k₂)x Therefore, the effective spring constant of the oscillation = k₁ + k₂.