Good stuff.
In post #2, lemiant used energy conservation to find the solution*.
In post #6, dan2915 used the equations for simple harmonic motion.
Let me add a third way: use Newton's 2
nd Law:
F = -k*x =
M*a = M*(dV/dt) = M*(dx/dt)(dV/dx) = M*V*(dV/dx)
=> M*V*(dV/dx) = -k*x
=> V*dV = -(k/M)*x*dx
Integrate the left side from V=0 to V=V
2, and the right side from x=-F/k to x=(L-L
2), and
solve for V2
This Quiz was inspired by post #5 in
this thread.
*neglecting the error in the final step