A mass \(m\) is then attached to the two springs, and \(x_0\) corresponds to the equilibrium position of the mass when the net force from the two springs is zero.
We introduce a horizontal coordinate system, such that the end of the spring with spring constant \(k_1\) is at position \(x_1\) when it is at rest, and the end of the \(k_2\) spring is at \(x_2\) when it is as rest, as shown in the top panel. \): A mass attached to two different springs.
