Spring Balances in Series

Most recent answer: 09/04/2012

Q:
why two spring balances show same reading when connected in series?
- jayanta saha (age 19)
wb
A:
I assume you mean when things are in equilibrium, not changing the stretch or bouncing around. That means that the parts aren't accelerating. So there's no net force. Look at the little spot where the balances are hooked together. Since there's no net force on it, the force from one balance pulling it one way must just equal the force from the other balance pulling it the opposite way.

Mike W.

(published on 09/04/2012)