Problem 1.152

Two bars connected by a weightless spring of stiffness $x$ and length (in the non-deformed state) $l_{0}$ rest on a horizontal plane. A constant horizontal force $F$ starts acting on one of the bars as shown in Fig. $1.40 .$ Find the maximum and minimum distances between the bars during the subsequent motion of the system, if the masses of the bars are: (a) equal; (b) equal to $m_{1}$ and $m_{2},$ and the force $F$ is applied to the bar of mass $m_{2}$.