Two people pull together on one end of a horizontal spring attached to an immova

Question

Two people pull together on one end of a horizontal spring attached to an immovable wall. Then they detach the spring from the wall and pull horizontally on opposite ends of the spring. They each pull just as hard in each situation. In which situation, if any, does the spring stretch more? (Here is what I think)

If each person pulls with a force F.

1. When they detach the spring from the wall, both people pull on the same side, so that they pull with a total force 2 F. The wall exerts an opposite force - 2 F. The tension in the spring has magnitude 2 F.

2. When the two people pull on opposite ends of the spring, one person exerts a force F, and the other person exerts a force -F. The tension in the spring has magnitude F.

Explanation / Answer

stretch distance = F / k

When baithe people exert in same direction, stretch will be greater as compare to when they exert from opposite sides.

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