An unstrained horizontal spring has a length of 0.39 m and a spring constant of 350 N/m. Two small charged objects are attached to this spring, one at each end. The charges on the objects have equal magnitudes. Because of these charges, the spring stretches by 0.022 m relative to its unstrained length. Determine (a) the possible algebraic signs and (b) the magnitude of the charges.

A) The possible algebraic signs will either be both positive (+) or both negative (-) charged since the 2 objects are repelling each other to stretch the string.

B) Magnitude of charges = 1.206 × 10^(-6) C

Explanation:

We are given;

Spring constant;k = 350 N/m

Spring length;L = 0.39 m

Stretched length of spring;x = 0.022 m

A) The spring stretches by 0.022m. Therefore, the total force is (350 × 0.022) N = 7.7N. The charged objects will either be both positive (+) or both negative (-) charged since they are repelling each other to stretch the string.

B) Force (F) required to stretch spring is given by the formula;

F = kx

Thus:

F = (350 × 0.022)

F = 7.7 N

Now, if we assume point charges, then the distance (r) between them will be given as:

r = (0.39 + 0.022) = 0.412 m

Coulomb's Law has a formula:

F = k(q1×q2)/r²

where k is coulomb's constant = 8.99 × 10^(9) Nm²/C²

Making q1 × q2 the subject, we have;

(q1 × q2) = Fr²/k = 7.7 × 0.412²/(8.99 × 10^(9))

(q1 × q2) = 14.54 × 10^(-11) C

We are told that both charges are equal, thus; |q1| = |q2|

So;

q = √(14.54 × 10^(-11)) = 1.206 × 10^(-6) C

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