Question

A stationary pair of identical bacteria are connected together by rigid extracellular fluid. An atomic force microscope pulls on the right end of the bacterial chain. The extracellular fluid experiences a force of tension of 12.3 µN; this force acts on both bacteria but is the only one that acts on the bacteria that is not connected to the microscope.  Both bacteria are pulled as a single unit with the same acceleration (as if they were a single object).

Determine the magnitude of the force at which the microscope pulls on the pair of bacteria.

Report your answer in µN

Answer 1

here,

The extracellular fluid experiences a force of tension of 12.3 uN

so, the fluid applies same amount of force on the bacteria pair

and the bacteria pair will accelerates

as the bacteria pair will accelerate as a single unit

the force applied on single bacteria will acts on both

so, the magnitude of the force at which the microscope pulls on the pair of bacteria is 12.3 uN