Ace the 2026 Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Challenge – Tune Your Gears for Success!

The statement that springs can only be compressed and cannot be extended is incorrect. Springs can actually be both compressed and extended, depending on how force is applied to them. When a force is applied that pushes the coils of a spring closer together, the spring is compressed. Conversely, when a force is applied that pulls the coils apart, the spring is extended. This dual capability of springs to either compress or extend is fundamental to their function in various mechanical systems.

In contrast, the other statements highlight accurate characteristics of springs. Springs are indeed considered simple machines because they can store and release energy, enabling motion in mechanics. The behavior of springs—where extension or compression occurs in the direction of the applied force—illustrates a key principle of mechanical systems. Lastly, while combining springs in series is a method used to affect their overall behavior and can lead to a reduction in spring constant (thereby altering their elasticity), it’s important to understand that combining them in parallel is typically what enhances the overall elasticity of a system of springs.