Chapter 6: Q75GP (page 138)
A mass m is attached to a spring which is held stretched a distance x by a force F, Fig. 6鈥45, and then released. The spring pulls the mass to the left, towards its natural equilibrium length. Assuming there is no friction, determine the speed of the mass m when the spring returns: (a) to its normal length (x = 0); (b) to half its original extension \(\left( {{x \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {x 2}} \right.} 2}} \right)\).

FIGURE 6鈥45 Problem 75.
Short Answer
(a)The mass moves at speed\(\sqrt {\frac{{Fx}}{m}} \)when it returns to\(x = 0\).
(b) The mass moves at speed \(\sqrt {\frac{{3Fx}}{{4m}}} \) when it returns to \(x = \frac{x}{2}\).