An elevator of mass M is at rest when its cable breaks. The elevator falls a distance h before it encounters a massless, cushioning spring (with spring constant k) at the bottom of the shaft. The spring has an uncompressed height of L. As the elevator falls, its safety clamp applies a frictional force of f on the elevator to help slow it down (this frictional force is much less than the force of gravity on the elevator)
1. Write an expression for the speed of the elevator before it encounters the spring.

Explanation:

cable breaks and elevator falls a distance h

Friction force f is applied by the clamps

Before it hits the spring velocity of elevator is given by the work energy theorem i.e. work done by all the forces is equal to change in kinetic energy            

Where ,

there is no correct list among the choices you've provided.

the list might look something like this:

-- baby human

-- piccolo

-- flute

-- soprano singer

-- trumpet

-- tenor singer

-- trombone

-- baritone singer

-- baritone horn

-- bass singer

-- tuba

since i had to make up the list myself, i made it easy on myself, and i didn't try to shuffle the string instruments and woodwinds into it too.

do you have a formula possibly