[RESOLVED] Springs, what is the k value (stiffness)

[da_silvy]

I've got this system (see attached), it has a natural frequency of 2.8 Hz

fn = 1/2pi * rt ( k / m )

each spring has the same stiffness, what's the stiffness in each spring

(i'm not 100% sure how this can work, and i reckon the answer i was given on the solutions sheet is wrong)

does it act as 3 springs or what?

thanks!

[VBAhack]

The following link might help:

http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/Spring.html

Pay special attention to the 'See Also' section at the bottom illustrating springs in parallel and series. In your case, I believe (but can't be 100% certain) there are 3 springs in parallel (the fact that 1 is on the opposite side of the mass makes no difference). Thus, your effective spring constant would be 3k, where k is the spring constant of an individual spring.

VBAhack