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AS Daily A Level Physics question

2026-05-26 OCR A Materials (M3.3) OCR Physics A (H156) Module 3.3 Materials — Force–extension behaviour; springs in series and parallel OCR AS Required Practical skills — Investigating force–extension of springs

In a lab test, a 5.0 N weight is hung from a single light spring and the extension is 3.0 cm. The same weight is then hung from two identical springs arranged side by side (in parallel) supporting the weight together. Neglect the mass of the springs and assume elastic behaviour. Which statement about the extension of each spring in the parallel arrangement is correct?

  1. A Each spring extends by 3.0 cm.
  2. B Each spring extends by 1.5 cm. (correct)
  3. C Each spring extends by 6.0 cm.
  4. D Each spring extends by 0.75 cm.

Answer

The correct answer is B.

Correct: B — Each spring extends by 1.5 cm. A states no change, but in parallel the load is shared so each spring carries half the force and extends less. B is correct because halving the force on each identical spring halves the extension, giving 1.5 cm. C is incorrect: doubling the extension applies to two identical springs in series, not in parallel. D is incorrect: a quarter of the original extension would require four identical springs in parallel, not two.

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