In a scenario with two springs supporting a box, what happens when both springs are attached as one longer spring?

When both springs are attached as one longer spring, they effectively behave as a single spring while maintaining their individual properties. In this arrangement, the load placed on the combined spring system is distributed equally between the two springs.

Each spring will still contribute to the overall support of the weight, which means that they share the load collectively rather than one spring taking on the entire load. This distribution of weight ensures that the system remains balanced and operates within the elastic limits of both springs. The total force exerted by the springs is equal to the weight of the box being supported, and since there are two springs in parallel, each spring bears an equal share of the load. Thus, the correct understanding of the mechanics involved clarifies that both springs support some of the weight, confirming why the answer reflects that arrangement effectively.