A spring of force constant 300 N/m is cut in half. The two halves are then placed in PARALLEL with each other. A force of 6.0 N is then applied to this parallel arrangement.
What is the extension of each spring?
a. 0.5 cm
b. 1.0 cm
c. 2.0 cm
d. 4.0 cm
Now I know that since it is cut into half so the force constant in each spring must be doubled?? (I think) and then since its parallel that means the total force constant is equal to 600*2 which equals 1200 N/m
F=kx so 6/1200 = x = 0.5 cm - but isn't this the TOTAL extension? so EACH spring extended by 0.5/2 cm?
Could someone explain this in simple terms.