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F = ma (Final Problems)
Simple Harmonic Motion
FMA-2026-18 · 2026 F = ma (AAPT)

2026 F = ma Exam — Question 18

Three springs and a block of mass m are connected as shown in the figure below. The spring constants are k1 = k, k2 = k/5, and k3 = k/3. All pulleys and ropes are massless, and there is no friction anywhere in the system. Find the ratio of the period of oscillations of this system, T , to the period T0 of a simple T mass–spring system with mass m and spring constant k. The value of is: T0 k1 k2 k3 m The value of TT0 is:
Source: Question 18, 2026 F = ma Exam, © 2026 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the U.S. Physics Team. Adapted by PhysicsTrainer: reformatted into a separate question and answer choices for online multiple-choice practice; any shared setup from nearby questions is repeated here. Not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPT or the U.S. Physics Team.