[QUE/CM-07001]

The figure shows a body of mass $m$ constrained to move in a
horizontal line under the influence of a massless spring of
natural length \(L\) and spring constant $k$. Find the equilibrium
points for the following three cases.

1. Case \(a=L\): When the mass is at $x=0$, the spring is at its equilibrium length.
2. Case \(a>L\): When $x=0$, the spring is stretched.
3. Case \(a < L\): When $x=0$, the spring is compressed.
4. Find the period of small oscillations in case (a).