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Figure $(a)$ shows a spring of force constant $k$ clamped rigidly at one 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 etther end. Each end of the spring in Figure $( b )$ 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 $(a)$ and the two masses in Figure $(b)$ are released, what is the period of oscillation in each case?

Solution
For the one block system:
When a force $F$, is applied to the free end of the spring, an extension $l$, is produced. For the maximum extension, it can be written as:
$F=k l$
Where, $k$ is the spring constant
$I=\frac{F}{k}$
Hence, the maximum extension produced in the spring,
For the two block system:
The displacement ( $x$ ) produced in this case is
$x=\frac{l}{2}$
Net force, $F=+2 k x=2 k \frac{l}{2}$
$\therefore l=\frac{F}{k}$
For the one block system:
For mass ( $m$ ) of the block, force is written as:
$F=m a=m \frac{d^{2} x}{d t^{2}}$
Where, $x$ is the displacement of the block in time $t$ $\therefore m \frac{d^{2} x}{d t^{2}}=-k x$
It is negative because the direction of elastic force is opposite to the direction of displacement. $\frac{d^{2} x}{d t^{2}}=-\left(\frac{k}{m}\right) x=-\omega^{2} x$
Where, $\omega^{2}=\frac{k}{m}$
$\omega=\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$
Where, $\omega$ is angular frequency of the oscillation
$\therefore$ Time period of the oscillation, $T=\frac{2 \pi}{\omega}$
$=\frac{2 \pi}{\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}}=2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$
For the two block system:
$F=m \frac{d^{2} x}{d t^{2}}$
$m \frac{d^{2} x}{d t^{2}}=-2 k x$
It is negative because the direction of elastic force is opposite to the direction of displacement.
$\frac{d^{2} x}{d t^{2}}=-\left[\frac{2 k}{m}\right] x=-\omega^{2} x$
Where,
Angular frequency, $\omega=\sqrt{\frac{2 k}{m}}$
$\therefore$ Time period, $T=\frac{2 \pi}{\omega}=2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{2 k}}$