Two identical springs of spring constant k are attached to a block of mass m and to fixed supports as shown in figure. When the mass is displaced from equilibrium position by a distance x towards right, find the restoring force.

Explanation

When mass is displaced towards right by distance x then the spring towards right hand side of mass gets pressed by distance x and spring towards left hand side of mass gets stretched by distance x. Then total restoring force
`F=F_(1)+F_(2)=-kx+(-kx)=2kx`
Here, `-ve` sign shows that direction of force is opposite to the direction of x. Thus restoring force acts towards left.