One end of a light elastic string, of natural length \(a\) and modulus of elasticity \(4 m g\), is attached to a fixed point \(O\). The other end of the string is attached to a particle of mass \(m\). The particle moves in a horizontal circle with a constant angular speed \(\sqrt{\frac{g}{a}}\) with the string inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the downward vertical through \(O\). The length of the string during this motion is \((k+1) a\).
(a) Find the value of \(k\).
(b) Find the value of \(\cos \theta\).