An uncharged molecule of DNA (deoxyri- bonucleic acid) is 2.18 µm long. The ends

Question

An uncharged molecule of DNA (deoxyri-
bonucleic acid) is 2.18 µm long. The ends
of the molecule become singly ionized so that
there is a charge of -1.6 × 10-19 C on one end
and +1.6 × 10-19 C on the other. The heli-
cal molecule acts like a spring and compresses
1.9% upon becoming charged.
Find the effective spring constant of the
molecule. The value of Coulomb’s constant is
8.98755 × 109 N · m2/C2 and the acceleration
due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
Answer in units of N/m

Explanation / Answer

F = kq1q2/r^2 = kx => 8.98 * 10^9 * 2.56 * 10^-38 = k * .019 * 2.18 * 10^-6 * 2.18 *2.18 *10^-12 => k = 12.73 * 10^-11 N/m

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