Spring Paradox

A mass hangs from two identical springs. First, the springs are attached in series by a short string between them. The springs are also connected in parallel by two peripheral strings that are initially slack. The center string is cut, changing the system from series to parallel. The mass does not move downwards, as one might have thought. Rather, the mass moves upwards because the spring constant of the system is increased.

 

Science off the Sphere: Spring Theory

How do you measure mass in a weightless environment? NASA Astronaut Don Pettit demonstrates as part of a collaboration between NASA and the American Physical Society.

Other Science off the Sphere videos

Falling slinky

What happens when a slinky that has been extended under its own weight is released? How does it fall to the ground?

Other Veritasium videos

One-Dimensional Motion in Zero Gravity

Two masses linked by a spring. Demonstrations of Newton's Laws of Motion performed on NASA's "Weightless Wonder" Aircraft, August 2010.

IBPH Episode #7 - Simple Harmonic Motion (Part 1)

Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a type of periodic motion for which the force that drives it is proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position. What is the equation that describes this type of motion? The answer and more in this video.

Source:  Horatiu Pop

Other videos by Horatiu Pop


IBPH Episode #7 - Simple Harmonic Motion (Part 1) from Horatiu Pop on Vimeo.

Block and spring system

Hooke's Law: force exerted by a spring

Hooke's law: the magnitude of the force exerted by a spring is directly proportional to the distance the spring has moved from equilibrium.




Conservation of energy

The block slides on a horizontal frictionless surface. K is kinetic energy. U is elastic potential energy and E is total mechanical energy. While potential energy is converted to kinetic energy (and vice versa), total mechanical energy remains constant.



Other animations by Yves Pelletier

Hooke's Law (Brightstorm)

Three simple examples involving Hooke's Law (force exerted by a spring).

See other Brighstorm videos