Determine the stiffness coefficient of a spring composed of two springs connected in series with

Determine the stiffness coefficient of a spring composed of two springs connected in series with the stiffness coefficients of 300N / m and 200N / m, respectively.

Data: k1 (coefficient of stiffness of the first spring) = 300 N / m; k2 (coefficient of stiffness of the second spring) = 200 N / m; the springs are connected in series.

Since the springs were connected in series, the equality will be true: 1 / k = 1 / k1 + 1 / k2, whence k = k1 * k2 / (k1 + k2).

Let’s calculate: k = 300 * 200 / (300 + 200) = 60,000 / 500 = 120 N / m.

Answer: The stiffness of the resulting spring will be equal to 120 N / m.