1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data A .5kg mass is suspended from a spring. A student attaches a second mass, .24kg, to the bottom of the first mass using tape (neglect the mass of the tape and spring). The spring extends an aditional 2cm when the second mass is attached. a) Find the period of the small oscillations for the combined masses b) The tape can only stand a force of 4N, you gradually increase the amplitude until the .24kg mass falls off, what is the amplitude when this occurs? 2. Relevant equations F = ma F= k(dx) T = 2π√(m/k) 3. The attempt at a solution a) F = Ma = k(dx) (9.81) (.24) = k(.02), k = 117.72 T = 2π√(m/k) thus T = .498s b) Since gravity is pulling the .24kg mass down, the spring will snap when the total force between gravity and the spring is 4n. This occurs when the spring is pulling up with a force of F = 4-9.81*.24 = 1.65N. I tried doing 1.65N = kx and solving for x, but I'm not giving any of the answers they give. What exactly am I doing wrong?