Figure a) shows a spring of force constant k clamped rigidly at once end and a mass m attached to its free end. A force F applied at the free end stretches the spring. Figure b) shows the same spring with both ends free and attached to a mass m at either end. Each end of the spring in figure is stretched by the same force F.
(a) What is the maximum extension of the spring in the two cases ?
(b) If the mass in figure and the two masses in figure are released free, what is the period of oscillation in each case?