If you cut a spring of stiffness constant k to two equal lengths, what is the spring constant for each of the two pieces. hint: use newton’s third law and hooke’s law in justifying your answer.

2k

Explanation:

Given

Let K' be the new spring constant of each half

K is the original spring constant

If the original spring is formed using half piece with x_1 and x_2 extension in each spring when same force is applied as for the original spring

then

F=kx

for new spring

x=x_1+x_2

 [from hooke's law]

k'=2k  

terd muffin is the correct answer