Physics (AS & A Level) · May / June 2026 · Paper 13 · Question 21

Two springs X and Y are attached to a fixed surface. Blocks are attached to their free ends. The blocks hang vertically in equilibrium from the springs as shown. The stretched lengths of X and Y are equal. Spring X has spring constant k, unstretched length l and extension 0.20l. Spring Y has spring constant 3.0k and extension 0.10l. The mass of the block attached to spring X is m. What is the mass of the block attached to spring Y?

1. A0.67m
2. B1.0m
3. C1.5m
4. D3.0m

As printed in the paper